Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

nutate

verb

/njuːˈteɪt/

Definition

To move or cause to move in a nodding or swaying motion.

Examples

The Earth’s axis nutates over a period of about 18.6 years, causing visible changes in the night sky.
The dancer’s head seemed to nutate gracefully with each beat of the music.
In biology, some plants exhibit nutation as they grow towards sunlight.

Meaning

Nutating refers to a type of movement in which something sways or nods back and forth, similar to the motion of a pendulum or the way a plant might sway in the wind.