Rotational

roʊˈteɪʃənəl

adjectivemediumCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

Of or relating to the act or process of rotating or revolving around an axis.

roʊˈteɪʃənəl

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Relating to or characterized by rotation.

The engine's power is converted into rotational motion.

💡 Simply: It's like when something spins around and around, like a merry-go-round or the Earth turning.

👶 For kids: When something goes round and round like a ball rolling on the floor.

More Examples

2

The rotational inertia of a solid object depends on its mass and the distribution of mass around the axis of rotation.

3

A rotational symmetry is observed when an object looks the same after a rotation.

How It's Used

Physics

"The rotational speed of the turbine is measured in revolutions per minute."

Engineering

"The rotational forces acting on the engine components were analyzed."

Astronomy

"The Earth's rotational axis is tilted."

From Latin *rotatio* (“a turning, revolving”), from *rotare* (“to rotate”), from *rota* (“wheel”).

The term 'rotational' began to be used in scientific and technical contexts during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coinciding with the advancements in mechanics and engineering.

Memory tip

Think of a spinning top - it has rotational motion.

rotationnalrotatinal

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written