variation

1 of 2

noun

var·​i·​a·​tion ˌver-ē-ˈā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of varying : the state or fact of being varied

b

: an instance of varying

c

: the extent to which or the range in which a thing varies

2

: declination sense 6

3

a

: a change of algebraic sign between successive terms of a sequence

b

: a measure of the change in data, a variable, or a function

4

: the repetition of a musical theme with modifications in such elements as rhythm, melody, harmony, key, tempo, and accompaniment

5

a

: divergence in the structural or functional characteristics of an organism from the species or population norm or average

b

: something (such as an individual or group) that exhibits variation

6

a

: a solo dance in classic ballet

b

: a repetition in modern ballet of a movement sequence with changes

variational

ˌver-ē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

variationally adverb

variational

2 of 2

adjective

var·​i·​a·​tion·​al

-shnəl

: of or relating to variation : characterized by variation

variationally

-shənᵊlē, 

-shnəlē, 

-i

adverb

Synonyms of variation

Noun

• interpretation
• take
• version

Examples of variation in a Sentence

Noun

the movie begins with a somewhat irreverent variation on the Nativity story

the latest in a long line of variations in her hair color

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But more variations of Austronesian languages have been identified in Taiwan, accompanied with more intricate grammatical structures and expansive vocabularies, which has provided insights for linguists. —Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 17 June 2026

The experiment was run many times in several variations, and Mischel and others returned to it in longitudinal studies to see how the children who had held out for two marshmallows at age 3 fared at age 13 or 30. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026

There are two freezer martini variations – one with vodka, served dirty and another with gin and a lemon twist. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026

These deeper currents are caused by variations in temperature and salinity. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English variacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French variacion "variance, discrepancy," borrowed from Latin variātiōn-, variātiō "diversification, divergence," from variāre "to make changeable, vary" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of deverbal nouns

First Known Use

Noun

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

Phrases Containing variation

• direct variation
• inverse variation

Rhymes for variation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

variation

noun

vari·​a·​tion

ˌver-ē-ˈā-shən, 

ˌvar-

1

a

: a change in form, position, or condition

b

: amount of change or difference

2

: the repeating of a musical passage with a change in rhythm, tune, harmony, or key

variations on a theme by Haydn

3

a

: change in the characteristics that are usual for a species or group

b

: an individual or group showing variation

variational

-shnəl, 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

variation

noun

var·​i·​a·​tion ˌver-ē-ˈā-shən, ˌvar- 

1

: divergence in one or more characteristics of an organism or biotype from those typical of or usual for its group

2

: something (as an individual or group) that exhibits variation

variational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective