rotor

noun

ro·​tor ˈrō-tər 

1

a

: a part that revolves in a stationary part

a brake rotor

b

: the rotating member of an electrical machine

2

: an assembly of rotating blades that supplies lift or stability for a rotorcraft

Examples of rotor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The rounded gold rotor is completed in a stunning guilloché pattern by master watchmaker, Kari Voutilainen. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 12 June 2026

Each nacelle houses a 1 MW generator connected to a rotor measuring 20 meters in diameter. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 June 2026

The team spun them in rotors filled with dirt and rock to mimic falling down slopes and tumbling through sediment-laden floods. —ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026

Priced at 45,000 euros, the collaboration revisits the 41-mm white gold timepiece with the platform’s signature blue applied to the hour counter and hands to the screws and peripheral rotor. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

contraction of rotator

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rotor

• tilt-rotor

Rhymes for rotor

• boater
• coater
• floater
• motor
• voter
• locomotor
• psychomotor
• servomotor
• vasomotor
• oculomotor
• sensorimotor
• premotor

Kids Definition

rotor

noun

ro·​tor ˈrōt-ər 

1

: a part that rotates in a stationary part (as in an electrical machine)

2

: a complete system of rotating blades that support a helicopter in flight