Alternate Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)
Britannica Dictionary definition of ALTERNATE
:
to place or do (different things) so that one follows the other in a repeated series
[+ object]
- To make the appetizer, you should alternate layers of tomatoes and cheese. [=you should place a layer of tomatoes, then a layer of cheese, then a layer of tomatoes, etc.]
- The poem/poet alternates fear and hope.
— often + with
- The necklace is made by alternating glass beads with shells.
- The poem/poet alternates fear and hope with each other. = The poem/poet alternates fear with hope.
[no object]
- The light and dark woods alternate to form an elegant pattern around the window.
— often + with
- Light woods alternate with dark woods.
— often + between
The poem alternates between fear and hope.
He alternates between riding his bike and taking the bus to work.
To make the appetizer, you should use alternating layers of tomatoes and cheese.
The shirt has alternating red and yellow stripes.
— alternation
noun,
plural
alternations
[count, noncount]
Britannica Dictionary definition of ALTERNATE
1
:
occurring in or forming a repeated series
- alternate sunshine and rain
- Alternate shades of wood formed a pattern around the window.
2
— used to describe something that happens one time, does not happen the next time, happens again, etc.
- The fair is held on alternate years. [=the fair is held every other/second year; the fair is held one year, not held the next year, held the following year, and so on]
- She picks the children up from school on alternate days. [=(for example) she picks up the children on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday]
3
chiefly US
:
other than the usual
:
We took an alternate route because of the traffic.
Due to an emergency, the plane landed at an alternate airport.
The poem is alternately fearful and hopeful.
Britannica Dictionary definition of ALTERNATE
:
someone who is chosen to take another person's place if that person is not able to be present or to do a required job
- The town has elected five councilors and two alternates.
- an alternate juror