rotary
Turning around a central axis
Turning in a circle around a center point, or made to do this.
rotary [machine / part / motion]
- The pump uses a simple rotary mechanism to move the water.
- Early computers often stored data on rotary magnetic drums.
- He collects old rotary phones from the 1950s.
- The dentist picked up a small rotary tool to polish the filling.
- Helicopters are sometimes called rotary-wing aircraft because their lift comes from spinning blades.
- A helicopter has a rotary blade on top.
- This old house still has a rotary phone in the hallway.
- The machine works with fast rotary motion.
- The small rotary tool can cut, sand, and polish metal.
Circular road junction for traffic
A round road where cars go in a circle around the middle, with roads going in and out; similar to a roundabout.
to drive around / enter / leave the rotary
- At the next rotary, take the second exit toward the highway.
- Traffic backs up every morning at the big rotary near the mall.
- Locals told us to stay in the right lane when entering the rotary.
- The town replaced an old four-way stop with a rotary to improve traffic flow.
- Turn right at the rotary and go straight.
- There is a large rotary at the end of this road.
- We went around the rotary and took the second exit.
- Cars must slow down before they enter the rotary.
Rotary Club or its member
A local group (usually written 'Rotary') that is part of Rotary International, where business and professional people meet to do charity and community work.
a Rotary [club / meeting / member]
- The local Rotary raised thousands of dollars for the new playground.
- She joined Rotary to meet people and support community projects.
- Rotary members organized a free health camp in the village.
- The mayor spoke at the Rotary breakfast meeting on Friday.
- My uncle is a member of Rotary in his town.
- Rotary gives money to help local schools.
- She goes to a Rotary meeting every week.
- Rotary often does charity work in many countries.
- Base: rotary
- Base: rotary
- Plural: rotaries
Rotary Club
1Local club of Rotary International
A local group of people who are part of Rotary International and meet regularly to do charity and community projects.
- She was invited to speak about her project at the Rotary Club.
- The Rotary Club in our town sponsors several student scholarships each year.
rotary dial
1Circular number dial on old phones
The round part on an old phone with numbers that you turn with your finger to call someone.
- Children today often do not recognize a rotary dial when they see one.
- You had to put your finger in the hole and pull the rotary dial around to dial each number.
rotary engine
1Engine with mainly rotating parts
An engine where the main parts move in circles instead of moving up and down like in a normal car engine.
- Mazda became famous for using a rotary engine in some of its sports cars.
- The rotary engine design allows for a high power-to-weight ratio but can be harder to maintain.
rotary phone
1Old telephone with a circular dial
An old-style telephone with a round dial that you turn to choose each number.
- My grandparents still have a black rotary phone in their kitchen.
- The museum shows how people once used a rotary phone to make calls.
rotary tool
1Handheld power tool with rotating tip
A small electric hand tool with a fast turning end that can cut, grind, or polish different materials.
- He used a rotary tool to carve the fine details into the wooden box.
- A basic rotary tool kit usually includes many small bits for cutting, sanding, and drilling.
rotary wing aircraft
1Aircraft with lift from rotating blades
An aircraft, like a helicopter, that goes up because its wings or blades spin quickly around a center.
- Helicopters and some drones are classified as rotary wing aircraft.
- Unlike fixed wing airplanes, rotary wing aircraft can hover in one place.