rotate

¹ American  

[roh-teyt, roh-teyt] / ˈroʊ teɪt, roʊˈteɪt /

verb (used with object)

rotated, rotating

1. to cause to turn around an axis or center point; revolve.

   Synonyms:

   whirl, wheel

2. to cause to go through a cycle of changes; cause to pass or follow in a fixed routine of succession.

   to rotate farm crops.

3. to replace (a person, troops, etc.) by another or others, usually according to a schedule or plan.

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verb (used without object)

rotated, rotating

1. to turn around on or as if on an axis.

2. to proceed in a fixed routine of succession.

   The sentries rotated in keeping watch.

rotate ² American  

[roh-teyt] / ˈroʊ teɪt /

adjective

1. wheel-shaped: applied especially to a gamopetalous short-tubed corolla with a spreading limb.

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rotate British  

verb

1. to turn or cause to turn around an axis, line, or point; revolve or spin

2. to follow or cause to follow a set order or sequence

3. (of a position, presidency, etc) to pass in turn from one eligible party to each of the other eligible parties

4. (of staff) to replace or be replaced in turn

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adjective

1. botany designating a corolla the united petals of which radiate from a central point like the spokes of a wheel

Related Words

See turn.

Other Word Forms

• nonrotatable adjective
• nonrotating adjective
• rotatable adjective
• rotatably adverb
• unrotated adjective
• unrotating adjective

Etymology

Origin of rotate¹

First recorded in 1800–10; from Latin rotātus (past participle of rotāre “to cause to spin, roll, move in a circle”), equivalent to rot(a) “wheel” + -ātus -ate ¹

Origin of rotate²

1775–85; < Latin rot ( a ) wheel + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Investors are rotating out of U.S. stocks due to concerns over AI overspending; 35% of managers cite an ‘AI bubble’ as the top risk.

From Barron's

Spins are tricks that rotate on the horizontal axis, so turning in circles.

From BBC

As the number 10, Saka showcased his positional versatility on the day, floating to the left side of attacking midfield, as well as rotating well with Madueke on the right wing.

From BBC

Located about an hour outside of Atlanta, the museum is constantly rotating its exhibits, both from its permanent collection and in its four temporary galleries.

From The Wall Street Journal

Arsenal's players rotate positions to make it difficult for opponents to pick them up.

From BBC

Related Words

• pivot
• revolve
• spin
• swivel
• twirl
• twist
• whirl