rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryrotationTaking turns
noun

rotation

roh-TAY-shuhn/rəʊˈteɪʃn/

Movement around an axis through a cycle.

The curved arrow shows the direction of the globe's rotation.

Globe turns on its axis with single curved motion arrow.
Etymology
rotatLatinto turn around, revolve
+ionLatinact or process

Latin rotare described turning around or revolving, and the ending makes that movement an action noun. Rotation retains the circular sense: movement around a center or axis.

In context

WIRED2:40
the skaters rotation and the position of the skaters body relative to the axis
Why It's Almost Impossible to Do a Quintuple Jump | WIRED

More examples

  • Two full rotations of the knob open the valve.
  • The nurses work weekends in rotation.
  • Crop rotation helps keep the soil healthy.

Forms

rotation · rotations

rotate verb — To turn around an axis.

rotational adjective — Relating to movement around an axis.

Similar words

spin
Spin usually suggests faster turning around an object's own axis.
revolution
Revolution often means one complete turn or an orbit.