1. to occur in turns; to switch back and forth between two or more things

1. occurring in turns; every other one in a series
2. different from the usual or primary; substitute

1. a person who serves as a substitute

Examples

• The traffic light alternates between red and green.
• We take alternate routes to work each day.
• Please sit in alternate seats to maintain distance.
• The team captain chose an alternate player for the game.
• She served as an alternate on the jury.
• The seasons alternate between hot and cold.
• They painted the fence in alternate colors of blue and white.