revolution

noun

rev·o·lu·tion ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce revolution (audio)

a(1)

: the action by a celestial body of going round in an orbit or elliptical course

also : apparent movement of such a body round the earth

(2)

: the time taken by a celestial body to make a complete round in its orbit

(3)

: the rotation of a celestial body on its axis

: completion of a course (as of years)

also : the period made by the regular succession of a measure of time or by a succession of similar events

c(1)

: a progressive motion of a body around an axis so that any line of the body parallel to the axis returns to its initial position while remaining parallel to the axis in transit and usually at a constant distance from it

(2)

: motion of any figure about a center or axis

revolution of a right triangle about one of its legs generates a cone

(3)

: rotation sense 1b

: a sudden, radical, or complete change

: a fundamental change in political organization

especially : the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed

: activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation

: a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something : a change of paradigm

the Copernican revolution

: a changeover in use or preference especially in technology

the computer revolution

the foreign car revolution

Did you know?

Revolution and Revolt

Revolution and revolt have a shared origin, both ultimately going back to the Latin revolvere “to revolve, roll back.” When revolution first appeared in English in the 14th century, it referred to the movement of a celestial body in orbit; that sense was extended to “a progressive motion of a body around an axis,” “completion of a course,” and other senses suggesting regularity of motion or a predictable return to an original position. At virtually the same time, the word developed a sharply different meaning, namely, ”a sudden radical, or complete change,” apparently from the idea of reversal of direction implicit in the Latin verb. Revolt , which initially meant “to renounce allegiance,” grew from the same idea of “rolling back,” in this case from a prior bond of loyalty.

Example Sentences

The group started a revolution. The king knew that there was a threat of revolution. This new theory could cause a revolution in elementary education. the revolution of the Earth around the Sun The period of revolution of the Earth around the Sun is equal to one year. The Earth makes one revolution on its axis in about 24 hours. This motor operates at a speed of 5,000 revolutions per minute. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Like everybody else in the post-Soviet world, Rokosh and the other men have read Gene Sharp, the philosopher of nonviolent revolution and civic activism who died in 2018.

Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2022 According to a 2008 British WikiLeaks cable, Iran’s regime has executed 4,000-6000 gays and lesbians since the country’s 1979 Islamic revolution.

Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2022 Any wholesale revolution will probably come, again, through the law, not the court of public opinion.

Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Sep. 2022 Gorbachev’s revolution from above had from its beginning been dependent on reform advocates preventing the conservative elites from undermining his program.

Ronald Suny, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2022 John McEnroe compared her game-changing impact to Stephen Curry’s in leading basketball’s three-point revolution.

Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 28 Aug. 2022 The hilly, forested terrain is also the hideout of the last remnants of the Shining Path, who focus more now on providing protection for the narcos than Maoist revolution.

Simeon Tegel, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2022 So, perhaps a better way to look at it is as evolution not revolution.

Lisa Caldwell, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 But as subscription increases start to slow down, Hollywood is entering a new phase of its streaming revolution; one of relative restraint and conservatism.

Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English revolucioun "rotation of the heavenly spheres around the earth, cyclical recurrence, completed motion around an axis, change of fortune," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French revolucion "return of a celestial body to its point of departure, recurrence," borrowed from Medieval Latin revolūtiōn-, revolūtiō, going back to Late Latin, "a rolling back, return, recurrence," from Latin revolū-, variant stem of revolvere "to roll back to a starting point, (passive) travel in a circular course, return to a starting point" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at revolve

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

revolution

noun

rev·o·lu·tion ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce revolution (audio)

: the action by a heavenly body of going round in a fixed course

The revolution of the earth around the sun marks one year.

: a spinning motion around a center or axis : rotation

A light push started the globe's revolution.

: a single complete turn (as of a wheel)

The earth makes one revolution on its axis in 24 hours.

: a sudden, extreme, or complete change (as in manner of living or working)

: the overthrow of a ruler or government by violent action

revolution

noun

as in rotation

a rapid turning about on an axis or central point revved the engine to 3000 revolutions per minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

rotation
curve
spin
roll
wheel
twirl
twist
reel
spiral
gyration
orbit
circulation
round
coil
curl
circle
whirl
pirouette
circuit
ring
eddy
swirl
whorl

as in revolt

open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the revolution by which the American colonies gained their independence from Great Britain necessitated going up against the world's most powerful army

Synonyms & Similar Words

revolt
uprising
insurrection
rebellion
mutiny
insurgency
insurgence
coup
outbreak
overthrow
rising
treachery
sedition
coup d'état
subversion
treason
sabotage
coup d'etat
misprision

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

counterinsurgency
counterrevolution

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of revolution are insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolt, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

Although the words mutiny and revolution have much in common, mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

The meanings of rebellion and revolution largely overlap; however, rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

Both revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds.

a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders

an insurrection of oppressed laborers

The words uprising and revolution are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

单词	revolution
释义	revolution noun rev·o·lu·tion ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən 1 a(1) : the action by a celestial body of going round in an orbit or elliptical course also : apparent movement of such a body round the earth (2) : the time taken by a celestial body to make a complete round in its orbit (3) : the rotation of a celestial body on its axis b : completion of a course (as of years) also : the period made by the regular succession of a measure of time or by a succession of similar events c(1) : a progressive motion of a body around an axis so that any line of the body parallel to the axis returns to its initial position while remaining parallel to the axis in transit and usually at a constant distance from it (2) : motion of any figure about a center or axis revolution of a right triangle about one of its legs generates a cone (3) : rotation sense 1b 2 a : a sudden, radical, or complete change b : a fundamental change in political organization especially : the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed c : activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation d : a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something : a change of paradigm the Copernican revolution e : a changeover in use or preference especially in technology the computer revolution the foreign car revolution Did you know? Revolution and Revolt Revolution and revolt have a shared origin, both ultimately going back to the Latin revolvere “to revolve, roll back.” When revolution first appeared in English in the 14th century, it referred to the movement of a celestial body in orbit; that sense was extended to “a progressive motion of a body around an axis,” “completion of a course,” and other senses suggesting regularity of motion or a predictable return to an original position. At virtually the same time, the word developed a sharply different meaning, namely, ”a sudden radical, or complete change,” apparently from the idea of reversal of direction implicit in the Latin verb. Revolt , which initially meant “to renounce allegiance,” grew from the same idea of “rolling back,” in this case from a prior bond of loyalty. Synonyms gyration pirouette reel roll rotation spin twirl wheel whirl See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences The group started a revolution. The king knew that there was a threat of revolution. This new theory could cause a revolution in elementary education. the revolution of the Earth around the Sun The period of revolution of the Earth around the Sun is equal to one year. The Earth makes one revolution on its axis in about 24 hours. This motor operates at a speed of 5,000 revolutions per minute. See More Recent Examples on the Web Like everybody else in the post-Soviet world, Rokosh and the other men have read Gene Sharp, the philosopher of nonviolent revolution and civic activism who died in 2018. Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2022 According to a 2008 British WikiLeaks cable, Iran’s regime has executed 4,000-6000 gays and lesbians since the country’s 1979 Islamic revolution. Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2022 Any wholesale revolution will probably come, again, through the law, not the court of public opinion. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Sep. 2022 Gorbachev’s revolution from above had from its beginning been dependent on reform advocates preventing the conservative elites from undermining his program. Ronald Suny, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2022 John McEnroe compared her game-changing impact to Stephen Curry’s in leading basketball’s three-point revolution. Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 28 Aug. 2022 The hilly, forested terrain is also the hideout of the last remnants of the Shining Path, who focus more now on providing protection for the narcos than Maoist revolution. Simeon Tegel, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2022 So, perhaps a better way to look at it is as evolution not revolution. Lisa Caldwell, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 But as subscription increases start to slow down, Hollywood is entering a new phase of its streaming revolution; one of relative restraint and conservatism. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English revolucioun "rotation of the heavenly spheres around the earth, cyclical recurrence, completed motion around an axis, change of fortune," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French revolucion "return of a celestial body to its point of departure, recurrence," borrowed from Medieval Latin revolūtiōn-, revolūtiō, going back to Late Latin, "a rolling back, return, recurrence," from Latin revolū-, variant stem of revolvere "to roll back to a starting point, (passive) travel in a circular course, return to a starting point" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at revolve First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1) Phrases Containing revolution green revolution surface of revolution industrial revolution solid of revolution pre-revolution green revolution surface of revolution industrial revolution solid of revolution pre-revolution Kids Definition revolution noun rev·o·lu·tion ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən 1 : the action by a heavenly body of going round in a fixed course The revolution of the earth around the sun marks one year. 2 : a spinning motion around a center or axis : rotation A light push started the globe's revolution. 3 : a single complete turn (as of a wheel) The earth makes one revolution on its axis in 24 hours. 4 : a sudden, extreme, or complete change (as in manner of living or working) 5 : the overthrow of a ruler or government by violent action revolution noun 1 as in rotation a rapid turning about on an axis or central point revved the engine to 3000 revolutions per minute Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance rotation curve spin roll wheel twirl twist reel spiral gyration orbit circulation round coil curl circle whirl pirouette circuit ring eddy swirl whorl 2 as in revolt open fighting against authority (as one's own government) the revolution by which the American colonies gained their independence from Great Britain necessitated going up against the world's most powerful army Synonyms & Similar Words revolt uprising insurrection rebellion mutiny insurgency insurgence coup outbreak overthrow rising treachery sedition coup d'état subversion treason sabotage coup d'etat misprision Antonyms & Near Antonyms counterinsurgency counterrevolution Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of revolution are insurrection, mutiny, rebellion, revolt, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government). a political revolution that toppled the monarchy Although the words mutiny and revolution have much in common, mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority. a mutiny led by the ship's cook The meanings of rebellion and revolution largely overlap; however, rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful. open rebellion against the officers Both revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds. a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders an insurrection of oppressed laborers The words uprising and revolution are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion. quickly put down the uprising
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revolution

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing revolution

Kids Definition

noun

noun

Synonym Chooser