rotator
Americannoun
plural
rotators, rotatores-
a person or thing that rotates.
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Anatomy. a muscle serving to rotate a part of the body.
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Nautical. a bladed device streamed to rotate in the water to actuate a patent log.
noun
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a person, device, or part that rotates or causes rotation
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anatomy any of various muscles that revolve a part on its axis
Etymology
Origin of rotator
1670–80; < Latin rotātor, equivalent to rotā ( re ) ( rotate 1 ) + -tor -tor
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After high school, I signed a minor-league contract but tore my rotator cuff.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026
“I think people can understand a torn rotator cuff,” Grace says, “but they can’t necessarily understand pelvic hematoma until they’ve had one.”
From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025
Grace has also been to physical therapy for a torn rotator cuff in her shoulder—a much smoother process.
From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025
Yamamoto left his next start early because of a rotator cuff strain and did not return until September.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2024
Marge’s arthritis makes scrubbing a torture; another woman has to see a physical therapist for her rotator cuff.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
