rotor

noun

ro·​tor ˈrō-tər How to pronounce rotor (audio)
1
a
: a part that revolves in a stationary part
a brake rotor
b
: the rotating member of an electrical machine
2
: an assembly of rotating blades that supplies lift or stability for a rotorcraft

Examples of rotor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Wisk’s design employs rotors that operate vertically for lift and then tilt horizontally for thrust. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024 At some point, the hugeness of modern-day military hardware, much of it digitally rendered, sweeps in, the pounding rotors of helicopters and urban street-clearing machinery orchestrated into an overwhelming last act. Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024 Equipped with 12 rotors and two electric engines, the air taxi is designed to fly 20-mile back-to-back trips, with 10-minute charging sessions in between. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2024 Although not new, a second approach, called nacelle testing,includes simulating wind fields, rotor blades, and the electrical grid, which collectively allows researchers to simulate various wind and grid conditions. IEEE Spectrum, 3 Apr. 2024 About a decade later, Rolex created a dial that would continuously wind on its own—a patented perpetually ticking rotor that the brand is known and loved for to this day. Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 The Army stated the important attributes were a 40-ft (12.2-m) rotor diameter, a 14,000-lb (6,350-kg) gross weight and cruise speeds of 180 kt (330 km/h) or above. Mike Hirschberg, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Following a flight on January 18, at least one of the helicopter’s rotor blades was damaged during landing. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 The rotors on both watches are engraved with the Vuitton floral monogram. Carol Bresler, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rotor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

contraction of rotator

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rotor was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near rotor

Cite this Entry

“Rotor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotor. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

rotor

noun
ro·​tor ˈrōt-ər How to pronounce rotor (audio)
1
: a part that rotates in a stationary part (as in an electrical machine)
2
: a complete system of rotating blades that support a helicopter in flight

More from Merriam-Webster on rotor

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