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 Sikorsky-Boeing entry, the Defiant X, featured a coaxial rotor system.
—
Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Aviation experts have told USA TODAY that footage appears to indicate the helicopter's rotor experienced a catastrophic failure.
—USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025
Divers from the New York Police Department worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Jersey City Office of Emergency Management to find, recover and secure the helicopter's main rotor system, including the transmission and the roof beam, after last week's crash into the Hudson River.
—Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2025
That refers to layers within the blade separating due to material fatigue, damage (from bird strikes, for example), or manufacturing errors, potentially leading the rotor blade to fail.
—John Miller, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotor
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Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Aviation experts have told USA TODAY that footage appears to indicate the helicopter's rotor experienced a catastrophic failure.
—USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025
Divers from the New York Police Department worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Jersey City Office of Emergency Management to find, recover and secure the helicopter's main rotor system, including the transmission and the roof beam, after last week's crash into the Hudson River.
—Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2025
That refers to layers within the blade separating due to material fatigue, damage (from bird strikes, for example), or manufacturing errors, potentially leading the rotor blade to fail.
—John Miller, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotor
Cite this Entry
“Rotor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotor. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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