Rotate
ˈroʊteɪt
Definitions
3 meaningsTo move or turn around a center point; to cause something to turn around a center point.
ˈroʊteɪt
To turn around a central point or axis.
The Earth rotates around the sun.
💡 Simply: Imagine a merry-go-round. When you spin it, that's rotating! Things can also rotate in science, like the Earth spinning around.
👶 For kids: To spin around and around like a top or a wheel.
More Examples
The dancer rotated gracefully on the dance floor.
The company rotates its employees through different departments.
How It's Used
"The Earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours."
"The gears rotate to transmit power."
"The coach rotates players to give everyone a chance to play."
To take turns; to alternate; to assign someone to do something in a cycle.
ˈroʊteɪt
To alternate or take turns.
The doctors rotate through different departments.
💡 Simply: Imagine you and your friends take turns doing something. This is a type of rotating. Businesses may do it with employees.
👶 For kids: Taking turns with different jobs or things to do.
More Examples
We will rotate the tasks among the team members.
They rotate crops to keep the soil healthy.
How It's Used
"The team will rotate shifts to cover the 24-hour operation."
"Farmers rotate crops to improve soil health."
The action of rotating or turning around.
ˈroʊteɪʃən
The act of rotating.
The rotation of the Earth is what causes night and day.
💡 Simply: It's what you get when something rotates, like the spinning of a top.
👶 For kids: When something goes round and round.
More Examples
The machine's rotation was smooth and efficient.
A complete rotation of the Earth takes approximately 24 hours.
How It's Used
"The rotation of the engine produced power."
"The Earth's rotation causes day and night."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From Latin *rotāre*, meaning "to turn like a wheel", derived from *rota* meaning "wheel".
Historically, used in astronomy and mechanics to describe the movement of celestial bodies and mechanical parts. Commonly used in the 17th century onwards.
Memory tip
Think of a wheel - it rotates!
Word Origin
"wheel"