al·ter·nate
US and Canadian
ˈȯl-tər-nət
also ˈal-;
chiefly British ȯl-ˈtər-
1
: occurring or succeeding by turns
a day of alternate sunshine and rain
2
a
: arranged first on one side and then on the other at different levels or points along an axial line
a plant with alternate leaves
compare opposite entry 1
b
: arranged one above or alongside the other
alternate layers of brick and stone
3
: every other : every second
He works on alternate days.
4
: constituting an alternative
took the alternate route home
5
: alternative sense 2
did not approve of their son's alternate lifestyle
al·ter·nate
ˈȯl-tər-ˌnāt
also ˈal-
alternated; alternating
1
: to perform by turns or in succession
alternated comedies and dramas
2
: to cause to alternate
: to change from one to another repeatedly
Rain alternated with sun.
al·ter·nate
US and Canadian
ˈȯl-tər-nət
also ˈal-;
chiefly British ȯl-ˈtər-
1
2
: one that substitutes for or alternates with another
They chose twelve jurors and two alternates.
Examples of alternate in a Sentence
Adjective
Alternate shades of wood formed a pattern around the window.
We took an alternate route because of the traffic.
Due to an emergency, the plane landed at an alternate airport.
Verb
The poem alternates fear and hope.
The light and dark woods alternate to form an elegant pattern around the window.
Noun
The town has elected five councilors and two alternates.
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Levy, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
Should a member miss a session, an alternate takes their place.
—Nate Chute, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Tomi Obaro, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
The interior of the beanie features alternating high and low loft stripes for a mix of insulation and breathability, effectively venting heat during high-output efforts.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024
Caroline Tien, SELF, 17 Oct. 2024
Joscelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong are also traveling to Paris as the team's alternates.
—Tanisha Bhat, Peoplemag, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for alternate 
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Adjective
Repeat process with remaining squares to create 4 rows of 14 (alternate directions with rows, if desired).
—Julia Levy, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
Should a member miss a session, an alternate takes their place.
—Nate Chute, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
Told from the alternating perspectives of Mark, Joanne, and Mark’s father, Tom, Solace is a love story sliced through by tragedy and a father-son story intensified by circumstance.
—Tomi Obaro, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024
The interior of the beanie features alternating high and low loft stripes for a mix of insulation and breathability, effectively venting heat during high-output efforts.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
On the mats, Lee caught up with Joscelyn Roberson, 18, an alternate for Team USA in Paris and a University of Arkansas freshman.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 17 Oct. 2024
Joscelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong are also traveling to Paris as the team's alternates.
—Tanisha Bhat, Peoplemag, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for alternate
Articles Related to alternate
Dictionary Entries Near alternate
Cite this Entry
“Alternate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternate. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alternate
1 of 3 adjective
al·ter·nate
ˈȯl-tər-nət
also ˈal-
1
: occurring or following by turns
a day of alternate sunshine and rain
2
a
: occurring first on one side and then on the other at different levels along an axis
alternate leaves on a plant stem
b
: arranged one above, beside, or next to another
alternate layers of meat and cheese
3
: every other : every second
works on alternate days
4
: being one of the things between which a choice is to be made
we took an alternate route
alternately
adverb
alternate
2 of 3 verb
al·ter·nate
ˈȯl-tər-ˌnāt
also ˈal-
alternated; alternating
1
: to do, occur, or act by turns
2
: to cause to alternate
alternate
3 of 3 noun
al·ter·nate
-nət
: a person named to take the place of another when necessary
Legal Definition
alternate
1 of 2 adjective
al·ter·nate
ˈȯl-tər-nət, ˈal-
1
: occurring or succeeding by turns
2
: being an alternative
alternate juror
alternate
2 of 2 noun1
2
: one that substitutes for another
twelve jurors and three alternates
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