rotation
noun
ro·ta·tion
rō-ˈtā-shən 
1
a(1)
: the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center
(2)
: the act or an instance of rotating something
b
: one complete turn : the angular displacement required to return a rotating body or figure to its original orientation
2
a
: return or succession in a series
rotation of the seasons
b
3
: the turning of a body part about its long axis as if on a pivot
4
: a game of pool in which all 15 object balls are shot in numerical order
5
: the series of pitchers on a baseball team who regularly start successive games in turn
Examples of rotation in a Sentence
the rotation of the Earth around its axis
the rotation of the Moon around the Earth
The Earth makes one rotation every day.
Alfalfa and corn are planted in rotation.
the rotation of the job of club president
The car needs a tire rotation.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Heat’s four-man reserve rotation of Jaquez, Nikola Jovic, Dru Smith and Simone Fontecchio has been among the league’s best bench units through the first week of the season.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Offset’s collaborative run—spanning Cardi B, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, and more—continues to keep him in rotation.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
Who served two rotations aboard the station for a cumulative 300-plus days aloft.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
The Yankees return a healthy and talented starting rotation with Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and Cam Schlittler.
—Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotation
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Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Offset’s collaborative run—spanning Cardi B, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, and more—continues to keep him in rotation.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
Who served two rotations aboard the station for a cumulative 300-plus days aloft.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
The Yankees return a healthy and talented starting rotation with Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and Cam Schlittler.
—Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotation
Cite this Entry
“Rotation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotation. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rotation
noun
ro·ta·tion
rō-ˈtā-shən
1
a
: the act of rotating especially on an axis
b
: one complete turn
2
Medical Definition
rotation
noun
ro·ta·tion
rō-ˈtā-shən
: the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center
specifically
: the turning of a body part about its long axis as if on a pivot
rotation of the head to look over the shoulder
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