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

In 2024, machinery manufacturer Rieter named Usha the first spinner to receive its Com4recycling-rotor license. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Electricity supplied to the system accelerates the rotor, retaining energy through its rotation. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026

Titan’s nitrogen-rich atmosphere is four times denser than Earth’s, allowing the car-sized Dragonfly drone’s eight rotors to easily fly between promising landing sites every Titan day (16 Earth days) to collect and study samples. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Flores had captained one of two Ecuadorian fishing crews who say their boats were sunk in an unexplained attack involving small, explosive-laden rotor drones launched by armed foreigners in March. — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 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