: to cause to turn or move about an axis or a center
b
: to cause (a plane region or line) to sweep out a volume or surface by moving around an axis so that each of its points remains at a constant distance from the axis
generate a torus by rotating a circle about an external line
Verb As the gear rotates, it turns the other gears. The Earth rotates on its axis. The planets rotate around the sun. The software allows you to rotate images. Rotate the sheet of paper 90 degrees. The staff rotates the weekend shift. We rotate—she does the dishes one week; I do them the next. You should rotate your car's tires once a year. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
When your rotate backward, your low back will flatten toward the floor. Jon-erik Kawamoto, Outside Online, 11 Aug. 2020 Rotate pie plate about 15° (if the top of the pie is the 12 o’clock mark, turn it to 2 o’clock). Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit, 10 July 2017 Rotate steaks 45 degrees and cook another 2 minutes. Milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 July 2017
Verb
Note that food carts often rotate in and out of locations.oregonlive, 8 Aug. 2022 Lift the pan, tilt, and rotate in all directions until the batter coats the bottom evenly. Nik Pugmire, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2022 Both pleaded not guilty and are being tried at the same time, but with different juries who will rotate in and out of the courtroom, Court TV reports. Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2022 The weekend starts with prayer and worship, followed by two-hour songwriting sessions in which the artists rotate rooms to work on different music. Sofia Krusmark, The Arizona Republic, 22 July 2022 Approximately 15 million Americans work a permanent night shift or regularly rotate in and out of night shifts, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Dr. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 21 July 2022 Both pleaded not guilty and will be tried at the same time, but with different juries who will rotate in and out of the courtroom, Court TV reports. Kc Baker, PEOPLE.com, 18 July 2022 Brennan plans to keep the taproom stocked with lagers and ales, while seasonal aged brews will rotate in. Jordyn Noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 31 May 2022 Specialty vendors selling everything from linens to micro greens will rotate in each week to create a variety, Collins and Franklin said. Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 6 May 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Latin rota
Verb
Latin rotatus, past participle of rotare, from rota wheel — more at roll