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Definition of rotary

rotary

/ˈroʊtəɹi/
ro · ta · ry
Plural:rotaries
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rotary Lexical Profile

rotary Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to or involving rotation around a central axis, or operating by means of rotating parts.

Example

"My grandparents still keep an old rotary telephone on the hallway table."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

American A circular road junction in which traffic flows in one direction around a central island.

Example

"Drivers must yield to oncoming vehicles already circulating inside the rotary."

2

A machine or mechanical device that operates by rotation, such as a rotary printing press or a rotary engine.

Example

"The newspaper upgraded to a high-speed rotary to print the morning edition faster."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for rotary

• Nearby Words

rosy red minnow
rot
rota
rotary
rotatable
rotate
rotation

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-18th century from Medieval Latin rotarius, meaning 'pertaining to wheels', from Latin rota ('wheel').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Rotary. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/rotary
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