rotate - Definition & Meaning

tate

Third Person

rotates

Present Participle

rotating

Past Tense

rotated

Past Participle

rotated

to turn or move around a center

The Earth rotates on its axis, causing day and night to occur.
Stay well away from the helicopter when its blades start to rotate.
The windmill blades are rotating with the force of the wind.
The wheels of the bicycle have been rotating smoothly after the recent maintenance.
The record player had been rotating for hours, playing old vinyl classics.

Synonyms:

to circulate items or responsibilities through a predetermined sequence

transitive

The teacher encouraged students to rotate the role of class monitor weekly.
The coach decided to rotate the captaincy of the team every month.
Nurses in the hospital rotate their shifts, allowing each of them to experience both day and night duties.
The group decided to rotate the role of chairperson for each meeting.
The initiative to rotate organizing social events within the club aimed to involve all members in event planning.

to move or rearrange items or individuals in a circular or revolving manner

transitive

The teacher asked the students to rotate their desks in a circle for a collaborative activity.
During the party, the DJ encouraged everyone to rotate partners on the dance floor.
In the workplace, employees were asked to rotate seating arrangements regularly to encourage teamwork.
The team captain instructed players to rotate positions on the field to enhance versatility.
To ensure fairness in playing cards, the group agreed to rotate the dealer after each round.

to grow different crops in succession on a specific piece of land

transitive

To maintain soil health, the farmer decided to rotate crops.
The agricultural experts recommended that the farmers rotate their crops regularly to improve overall soil structure.
The sustainable farming initiative emphasized the importance of rotating legumes with grains to enhance soil nitrogen levels naturally.
Modern farming practices often involve a carefully planned schedule to rotate crops.

to make an object spin or revolve around a fixed point

transitive

To evenly cook the food, the chef instructed the apprentice to rotate the skewers on the grill.
To achieve an even distribution of sunlight, the gardener decided to rotate the potted plants regularly.
The astronaut used the control panel to rotate the spacecraft, adjusting its orientation in space.
In gymnastics, athletes are trained to rotate their bodies during certain maneuvers for precision and balance.
The engineer designed a system to rotate solar panels, maximizing their exposure to sunlight throughout the day.

Synonyms:

to take turns or circulate among individuals in a specified sequence

The duty of organizing office events rotates monthly.
During our road trips, the role of navigator rotates among the passengers.
The task of compiling the monthly progress report rotates between different departments.
In our book club, the role of discussion moderator rotates for each new book we read.
Within the project team, the role of presenting updates to upper management rotates bi-weekly.