rotation

noun

ro·​ta·​tion rō-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce rotation (audio)
Synonyms of rotationnext
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
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
rotational adjective

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
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.
On Saturday, that included removing Jake LaRavia from the rotation entirely as rookie forward Adou Thiero became the Lakers’ third player off the bench and veteran big man Maxi Kleber moved into the rotation as the ninth option. Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026 Nick Robert returns Miami’s bullpen received a boost recently with the return of Nick Robert, who was in the team’s starting rotation last season before sustaining a season-ending elbow injury last April that kept him shelved for more than a year. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 May 2026 Out of Cleveland’s current rotation, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Max Strus, Sam Merrill, and Dean Wade were all in that room, too. Joe Vardon, New York Times, 10 May 2026 Apparently expecting a bunt, the Orioles had a rotation play on, which meant shortstop Gunnar Henderson was out of position for what could have been a double-play grounder by Zack Gelof. CBS News, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rotation

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of rotation was circa 1550

Cite this Entry

“Rotation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotation. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

rotation

noun
ro·​ta·​tion rō-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce rotation (audio)
1
a
: the act of rotating especially on an axis
b
: one complete turn
2
rotational
-shnəl How to pronounce rotation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

rotation

noun
ro·​ta·​tion rō-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce rotation (audio)
: 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
rotational adjective

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