rotary

1 of 2

adjective

ro·​ta·​ry ˈrō-tə-rē 

1

a

: turning on an axis like a wheel

b

: taking place about an axis

rotary motion

2

: having an important part that turns on an axis

rotary cutter

3

: characterized by rotation

4

: of, relating to, or being a press in which paper is printed by rotation in contact with a curved printing surface attached to a cylinder

rotary

2 of 2

noun

plural rotaries

1

: a rotary machine

2

: a road junction formed around a central circle about which traffic moves in one direction only

called also circle, traffic circle

Examples of rotary in a Sentence

Adjective

the rotary action of the wheel

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Workers began finding the wild salmon, caught downstream in rotary screw traps, earlier this month. —Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 25 Feb. 2025

Or for a countertop rotary food grater, slice into large chunks that will fit through the food chute. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Feb. 2025

Noun

Turbine-smooth and powerful, the rotary was also notoriously failure-prone due to unreliable rotor seals that ultimately doomed NSU—and the engine generally. —Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025

Aleman placed the roses on a conveyor belt, advancing them to a rotary saw that cut their stems. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin rotarius, from Latin rota wheel

First Known Use

Adjective

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rotary

• rotary cultivator
• rotary engine
• rotary-wing aircraft

Rhymes for rotary

• coterie
• notary
• votary
• electrocautery
• prothonotary

Kids Definition

rotary

1 of 2 adjective

ro·​ta·​ry ˈrōt-ə-rē 

1

a

: turning on an axis like a wheel

a rotary blade

b

: taking place about an axis

rotary motion

2

: having a rotating part

a rotary lawn mower

rotary

2 of 2 noun

plural rotaries

1

: a rotary machine

2

: a road junction formed around a central circle about which traffic moves in one direction only