adaptation

noun

ad·​ap·​ta·​tion ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-shən 

-dəp-

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

adaptational

ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-dəp-

adjective

adaptationally adverb

Synonyms

• acclimation
• acclimatization
• accommodation
• adaption
• adjustment
• conformation

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

From color-changing materials that function like cephalopod skin to a tiny biomimetic robot that looks and moves like an actual cockroach, the extraordinary adaptations of some organisms have upgraded our technological capabilities. —ArsTechnica, 28 June 2025

Infinity Castle is a direct sequel to the fourth season of the Demon Slayer anime television series and the fourth film adaptation. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 28 June 2025

Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan tells PEOPLE that he's never seen the two film adaptations of his books, which starred Logan Lerman and Alexandra Daddario. —Brendan Le, People.com, 28 June 2025

About a quarter-mile from the parking area are the remains of Mayhew Lodge, a hunting and fishing lodge built in the early 1900s by one of the photographers who worked on the silent film adaptation of the novel in 1923. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Medieval Latin; French, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin adaptātiōn-, adaptātiō, from Latin adaptāre "to adapt" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing adaptation

• counter-adaptation
• dark adaptation
• light adaptation

Rhymes for adaptation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

adaptation

noun

ad·​ap·​ta·​tion ˌad-ˌap-ˈtā-shən 

-əp-

1

a

: the act or process of adapting

b

: the state of being adapted

2

: adjustment to environmental conditions: as

a

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

b

: change in an organism or its parts that fits it better for the conditions of its environment

also : a structure resulting from this change

3

: something that is adapted

especially : a composition rewritten into a new form

adaptational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

adaptationally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

adaptation

noun

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

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

adaptational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

adaptationally

-ē 

adverb