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

All those rotations have made the single a radio smash for the first time, and its ascent helps the singer match one of the most successful musical acts of all time in the country. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

Of the four pitchers confirmed in the Mets rotation (Montas, Holmes, Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga), three of them are right-handed pitchers. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025

As part of a trio with Jeff Skinner and a right-wing rotation that included Hyman and Corey Perry, Henrique enjoyed a strong game with a 5-1 edge in shots and strong play on the penalty kill. —Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025

The decision threw a wrench in the mayoral selection process, since usually the top two vote-getters are next in the rotation for the top spot. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 30 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