Rotor: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in mechanical and engineering fields to describe the rotating part of a machine or device, especially in contexts related to electricity generation, helicopters, and engines.

• The helicopter's rotor blades started to spin.
• Engineers are designing a new type of rotor for wind turbines.

A broader term often used in technical documentation and explanations to refer to any component that rotates within a machine, without specifying a particular machine.

• Ensure the rotating part is properly lubricated to reduce wear.
• Inspect all rotating parts for any signs of damage during maintenance.

Less technical and more informal, sometimes used to describe rotating toys, devices, or simple gadgets. It's often associated with recreational objects.

• The child was fascinated by the colorful spinner.
• Modern art installations sometimes use spinners for dynamic visual effects.

A generic term often used in contexts where the specific nature of the machine or device isn't clear, and in everyday language to describe any device that turns or rotates.

• She invented a new turning device to automate part of the process.
• Make sure the turning device is switched off before trying to clean it.

Used to describe the rotating part of a mechanical device, especially in aviation and engineering contexts. It's more general and can be applied to various machines and vehicles.

• The rotor of the wind turbine needs regular maintenance
• The electric motor's rotor is malfunctioning

Refers specifically to the blades of a helicopter's rotor system. This term is used when emphasizing the blades rather than the whole rotor assembly.

• The helicopter blades were damaged during the storm
• It is crucial to inspect the helicopter blades before every flight

Specifically refers to the rotating part of aircraft machinery, particularly in helicopters. This term is specific and used in aviation contexts.

• The aircraft rotor is critical for maintaining lift in a helicopter
• Engineers are testing a new design for the aircraft rotor

Used to describe the device with rotating blades, typically found on airplanes, boats, and some older aircraft. It is not used for helicopters.

• The boat's propeller got tangled in seaweed
• The old airplane's propeller was made of wood

Generally used in similar contexts as the first 'rotor', referring to something that rotates within machines, but can also be used interchangeably in non-technical slang, depending on region and context.

• The disk rotor in the braking system needs replacement.
• Check the rotor for any signs of wear.

Used in mathematical and computational contexts to represent operations affecting geometric objects, such as transformations and rotations.

• The geometric operator applied to the shape resulted in a rotation.
• Understanding geometric operators is crucial for computer graphics.

In the context of group theory and abstract algebra, this term refers to an element that generates a rotation in a specific space.

• The rotation element of the symmetry group defines the object's orientation.
• Studying rotation elements helps in understanding the structure of molecules.

This term is used in mathematical contexts, specifically in linear algebra and geometric algebra, to describe a rotation in a vector space.

• An algebraic rotor can represent a complex rotation in three-dimensional space.
• The algebraic rotor is essential for understanding transformations.