: having the parts flat and spreading or radiating like the spokes of a wheel
rotate blue flowers
rotated; rotating
1
a
: to perform an act, function, or operation in turn
b
: to pass or alternate in a series
2
: to turn about an axis or a center : revolve
especially
: to move in such a way that all particles follow circles with a common angular velocity about a common axis
1
a
: 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
2
: to cause to grow in rotation
rotate crops
3
: to cause to pass or act in a series : alternate
4
: to exchange (individuals or units) with others
Examples of rotate in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sophie-Claire Hoeller, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
Externally rotate your right hip by spinning clockwise on your knee, moving your right foot to the left side of your body behind you.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Passengers will also be privy to bespoke soundtracks, films, rotating digital art exhibitions and editorial storytelling with artists across the airlines media platforms.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
The rotating selection focuses on vino from France, Italy and Napa Valley.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Visitors can explore everything from the evolution of visual effects to cultural changes effected by documentaries, with interactive installations, film screenings, Q&As, and rotating exhibitions.
—Sophie-Claire Hoeller, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
Externally rotate your right hip by spinning clockwise on your knee, moving your right foot to the left side of your body behind you.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Passengers will also be privy to bespoke soundtracks, films, rotating digital art exhibitions and editorial storytelling with artists across the airlines media platforms.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
The rotating selection focuses on vino from France, Italy and Napa Valley.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotate
Cite this Entry
“Rotate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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