An agitator is a device or mechanism to put something into motion by shaking or stirring. There are three main types of agitation machines: the washing machine agitator, which rotates back and forth; the magnetic agitator, which contains a magnetic bar which rotates about a magnetic field; manual agitation, such as with a stirring rod.
In a top load washing machine the agitator projects from the bottom of the wash basket and creates the wash action by rotating back and forth, rolling garments from the top of the load, down to the bottom, then back up again.
There are several types of agitators with the most common being the "straight-vane" and "dual-action" agitators. The "straight-vane" is a one-part agitator with bottom and side fins that usually turns back and forth. The Dual-action is a two-part agitator that has bottom washer fins that move back and forth and a spiral top that rotates clockwise to help guide the clothes to the bottom washer fins.
Action may refer to: