adaptation

noun

ad·ap·ta·tion | \ ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-shən

, -dəp- \

Definition of adaptation

1 : something that is adapted a new adaptation of an old recipe specifically : a composition rewritten into a new form a screen adaptation of a novel

2 : the act or process of adapting a process undergoing adaptation : the state of being adapted adaptation to changing circumstances

3 : adjustment to environmental conditions: such as

a : adjustment of a sense organ to the intensity or quality of stimulation

b : modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence under the conditions of its environment : a heritable physical or behavioral trait that serves a specific function and improves an organism's fitness or survival

Other Words from adaptation Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing adaptation Learn More About adaptation

Examples of adaptation in a Sentence

His stage adaptation of the novel was a success. The film is an adaptation of a book of the same title. The insect's evolutionary adaptations enable it to be almost invisible even when sitting in the middle of a leaf. a tool designed for easy adaptation

Recent Examples on the Web That’s made evident yet again by Joachim Back’s ambitious cinematic adaptation of Jonas Karlsson’s acclaimed existentialist novel The Room, receiving its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 June 2022 Although this doesn’t happen easily without knowing what problems employees are experiencing during periods of transition and adaptation. — David James, Forbes, 9 June 2022 Universal's film adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical ⁠— based on the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire ⁠— was first announced all the way back in 2016. — Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, 8 June 2022 Like the films, TV series, and theatrical adaptations before it, Wednesday is based partly on the New Yorker cartoons first introduced by Charles Addams in 1938, further popularized in the 1960s by the sitcom adaptation The Addams Family. — Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 8 June 2022 The ringleader of The Umbrella Academy, Reginald looks pretty accurate in his Comic to Netflix adaptation. — Evan Romano, Men's Health, 8 June 2022 Nominally, the same thing that has been the overarching danger in each of the movies, going back to Michael Crichton’s original novel and Spielberg’s first adaptation—the creeping hand of capitalistic greed. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 8 June 2022 Hollander developed Showtime’s TV adaptation of Schrader’s film, which launched Richard Gere’s career. — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 5 June 2022 The always incisive Richard Thomas seems an ideal choice to play Atticus Finch, the humane central character of both Harper Lee’s classic novel and Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation. — Celia Wren, Washington Post, 2 June 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adaptation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near adaptation

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Last Updated

13 Jun 2022

Cite this Entry

“Adaptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adaptation. Accessed 24 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for adaptation

adaptation

noun

ad·ap·ta·tion | \ ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-shən

Kids Definition of adaptation

1 : the act or process of changing to better suit a situation

2 : a body part or feature or a behavior that helps a living thing survive and function better in its environment

adaptation

noun

ad·ap·ta·tion | \ ˌad-ˌap-ˈtā-shən, -əp-

Medical Definition of adaptation

1 : the act or process of adapting : the state of being adapted his ingenious adaptation of the electric cautery knife to … surgery— George Blumer

2 : adjustment to environmental conditions: as

a : adjustment of a sense organ to the intensity or quality of stimulation

b : modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence under the conditions of its environment — compare adjustment sense 1b

Other Words from adaptation

adaptational \ -shnəl, -shən-ᵊl

\ adjective

adaptationally \ -ē

\ adverb