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
Here are some of the healthiest spreads to add to your lunchtime rotation.
—
Sarah Garone, Health, 17 Oct. 2025
During that short one-year stint with the Heat, Achiuwa began his rookie season as a consistent part of the rotation before losing playing time and dropping out of the rotation later in the year.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Luzardo was a part of a dominant Philadelphia Phillies rotation.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays' starting rotation could look very different next season.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sarah Garone, Health, 17 Oct. 2025
During that short one-year stint with the Heat, Achiuwa began his rookie season as a consistent part of the rotation before losing playing time and dropping out of the rotation later in the year.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Luzardo was a part of a dominant Philadelphia Phillies rotation.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays' starting rotation could look very different next season.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 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 21 Oct. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share