rotation

noun

ro·​ta·​tion rō-ˈtā-shən 

1

a(1)

: the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center

(2)

: the act or an instance of rotating something

b

: one complete turn : the angular displacement required to return a rotating body or figure to its original orientation

2

a

: return or succession in a series

rotation of the seasons

b

: crop rotation

3

: the turning of a body part about its long axis as if on a pivot

4

: a game of pool in which all 15 object balls are shot in numerical order

5

: the series of pitchers on a baseball team who regularly start successive games in turn

rotational

rō-ˈtā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• gyration
• pirouette
• reel
• revolution
• roll
• spin
• twirl
• wheel
• whirl

Examples of rotation in a Sentence

the rotation of the Earth around its axis

the rotation of the Moon around the Earth

The Earth makes one rotation every day.

Alfalfa and corn are planted in rotation.

the rotation of the job of club president

The car needs a tire rotation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Baltimore Orioles, looking to boost their starting rotation, have invested in a free-agent pitcher from Japan. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Remember, Steele first broke into the majors as a left-handed reliever and began to earn his spot in the rotation after the Cubs’ sell-off at the 2021 trade deadline. —Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic, 17 Dec. 2024

Yet the rotation out of cyclicals and into tech hasn’t been uniform. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024

But since, transfers have barely made a dent in USC’s receiver rotation. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing rotation

• crop rotation
• optical rotation

Kids Definition

rotation

noun

ro·​ta·​tion rō-ˈtā-shən 

1

a

: the act of rotating especially on an axis

b

: one complete turn

2

: crop rotation

rotational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

rotation

noun

ro·​ta·​tion rō-ˈtā-shən 

: the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center

specifically : the turning of a body part about its long axis as if on a pivot

rotation of the head to look over the shoulder

rotational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective