# rotate

/ˈɹoʊˌteɪt/ (US) · /ɹəʊtˈeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rotate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to turn in a circle

verb · CEFR B1

to turn or spin around a central point.

For teachers: to turn or cause to turn around an axis or center point.

- The earth rotates once every twenty-four hours.
- The mechanic demonstrated how the cooling fan rotates at high speeds to prevent the engine from overheating during long journeys.

Usage: Can be used with or without a direct object.

### 2. to take turns

verb · CEFR B2

to change people or things in a regular order so that everyone or everything has a turn.

For teachers: to move or pass through a cycle of changes; to perform a task in a recurring sequence.

- The teachers rotate the duty of watching the playground during lunch.
- The hospital staff rotate shifts every month to ensure that no single team is permanently assigned to the grueling overnight hours.

Usage: Often used with a direct object like 'shifts', 'crops', or 'roles'.

### 3. to use older stock first

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to move older items to the front of a shelf so they are used before newer ones.

For teachers: to manage inventory by moving older materials to the point of use before newer stock.

- Supermarket workers rotate the milk cartons so the oldest ones sell first.
- Effective inventory management requires staff to rotate stock diligently, minimizing waste by ensuring products reach the consumer before their expiration dates.

### 4. to lift the nose of a plane

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to pull the nose of an airplane up just before it leaves the ground.

For teachers: to transition an aircraft from a ground roll to a climbing attitude by increasing the pitch.

- The pilot began to rotate as the plane reached the necessary speed.
- Upon reaching the calculated takeoff safety speed, the captain began to rotate the aircraft, smoothly lifting the nose wheel off the tarmac.

### 5. wheel-shaped

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

having a shape like a wheel with parts spreading out from the center.

For teachers: having a wheel-like shape; specifically used in botany to describe a flat, circular corolla.

- The flower has a rotate shape with petals spreading out like spokes.
- The botanist identified the specimen by its rotate corolla, noting the way the petals radiated symmetrically from the central axis.

## Examples

- The Earth takes twenty-four hours to rotate once.
- The manager decided to rotate the staff every three months so everyone could learn how to use the new software.
- By choosing to rotate the crops each season, the farmer ensures that the soil remains nutrient-rich and prevents the buildup of pests that target specific plants.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.