Rotating: meaning, definitions and examples

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rotating

[ˈrəʊteɪtɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

mechanical

Moving or causing to move in a circle around an axis or center.

Synonyms

revolving, spinning, turning.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
rotating	Typically used to describe the action of turning around an axis or center point. Often used in mechanical or scientific contexts. The Earth is always rotating on its axis The rotating blades of the helicopter create lift
turning	A general term for changing direction or orientation. Can be used in various contexts, from daily activities to mechanical movements. Turn left at the next intersection She is turning the pages of the book
spinning	Used to describe quick, often continuous circular motion. Can also be used colloquially to describe situations causing confusion or dizziness. The child is spinning on the merry-go-round All the new information made my head start spinning
revolving	Often used to describe something that moves in a circular path around a central point. Commonly found in contexts involving orbits, machinery, or doors. The revolving door at the entrance of the hotel is very convenient Planets are revolving around the sun

Examples of usage

The rotating blades of the wind turbine generate electricity.
The rotating drum of the washing machine helps to clean the clothes.
The rotating Earth causes day and night.
The rotating carousel at the amusement park is a popular attraction.
The rotating fan helps to circulate the air in the room.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

job

Taking turns performing a job or task.

Synonyms

alternate, exchange, switch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
rotating	Used when something is turning around an axis or when duties are shifted in a regular, circular way. The Earth is constantly rotating on its axis. We have a rotating schedule for cleaning the kitchen.
alternate	Used when things take turns or occur in succession, one after the other. We meet on alternate Mondays. You should alternate your exercise routine to avoid injury.
switch	Used when you change from one thing to another, or when you swap two things. It can also refer to a device that turns something on or off. Can we switch seats? Press the switch to turn on the lights.
exchange	Used when two or more people give something and receive something else in return, often of roughly equal value. Let's exchange gifts at the party. They had a heated exchange of words.

Examples of usage

The employees are rotating shifts to cover all hours of operation.
We rotate the responsibility of taking out the trash each week.
Students rotate being the leader of the group project.
The doctors rotate on-call duties at the hospital.
The team members rotate positions during the game.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'rotare', which means 'to turn'.
It entered the English language in the late 14th century, indicating circular motion.
The prefix 'ro-' relates to wheels, emphasizing movement and turning.

Science

In physics, rotating objects are influenced by centrifugal force, which pushes them outward.
The Earth takes about 24 hours to complete one full rotation on its axis, creating day and night.
The concept of rotation is crucial in understanding celestial movements, such as how planets orbit stars.

Pop Culture

Dance moves like the 'twist' or 'spin' are exciting forms of rotating in performance art.
In sports, athletes often rotate their bodies, like in gymnastics or figure skating, to create stunning visuals.
The popular toy fidget spinner is designed to rotate effortlessly on a central axis, becoming a viral sensation.

Technology

In engineering, rotating machinery is essential for various applications, from turbines to engines.
Data storage devices like hard drives use rotational motion to read and write information quickly.
Robotic arms often incorporate rotational joints to enhance their range of motion and flexibility.

Art

The art of kinetic sculpture often involves rotating elements, captivating audiences with movement.
Artists like Jean Tinguely create machines designed to rotate and produce art while moving.
In visual arts, rotating canvases can inspire different perspectives and creative insights.

Translations

Translations of the word "rotating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 girando

🇮🇳 घूमता हुआ

🇩🇪 drehend

🇮🇩 berputar

🇺🇦 обертовий

🇵🇱 obracający się

🇯🇵 回転する (かいてんする)

🇫🇷 tournant

🇪🇸 girando

🇹🇷 dönen

🇰🇷 회전하는

🇸🇦 دوراني

🇨🇿 otáčející se

🇸🇰 točiaci sa

🇨🇳 旋转的 (xuánzhuǎn de)

🇸🇮 vrteč

🇮🇸 snúandi

🇰🇿 айналатын

🇬🇪 მბრუნავი

🇦🇿 dönən

🇲🇽 girando

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,533 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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6535 offspring
6536 simplified
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