rotate

1
[ roh-teyt or, esp. British, roh-teyt ]
/ ˈroʊ teɪt or, esp. British, roʊˈteɪt /

verb (used with object), ro·tat·ed, ro·tat·ing.

to cause to turn around an axis or center point; revolve.
to cause to go through a cycle of changes; cause to pass or follow in a fixed routine of succession: to rotate farm crops.
to replace (a person, troops, etc.) by another or others, usually according to a schedule or plan.

verb (used without object), ro·tat·ed, ro·tat·ing.

to turn around on or as if on an axis.
to proceed in a fixed routine of succession: The sentries rotated in keeping watch.

Origin of rotate

1
1800–10; < Latin rotātus (past participle of rotāre to cause to spin, roll, move in a circle), equivalent to rot(a) wheel + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM rotate

Definition for rotate (2 of 2)

rotate 2
[ roh-teyt ]
/ ˈroʊ teɪt /

adjective

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

Origin of rotate

2
1775–85; < Latin rot(a) wheel + -ate1

Example sentences from the Web for rotate

British Dictionary definitions for rotate

rotate

verb (rəʊˈteɪt)

to turn or cause to turn around an axis, line, or point; revolve or spin
to follow or cause to follow a set order or sequence
(of a position, presidency, etc) to pass in turn from one eligible party to each of the other eligible parties
(of staff) to replace or be replaced in turn

adjective (ˈrəʊteɪt)

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

Derived forms of rotate

rotatable, adjective