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 Learn More about adaptation

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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 No release date has been announced for the Apple Original Film, an adaptation of David Grann’s nonfiction book about a string of murders in Oklahoma’s Osage Nation. — Jon Freeman, Rolling Stone, "Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson Cast in Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’," 6 Apr. 2021 Hollywood powerhouse Tessa Thompson will soon begin production on an adaptation of the stories. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, "How an acclaimed author decided to write fiction for Black women like her," 6 Apr. 2021 With an adaptation, the test can also give real-time results on whether a variant caused the infection. — Keri Enriquez, CNN, "How Major League Baseball is tracking Covid-19 variants," 1 Apr. 2021 Cynthia Erivo will play the Blue Fairy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt will voice Jiminy Cricket in Robert Zemeckis' live-action adaptation of the Disney classic, EW has learned. — Tyler Aquilina, EW.com, "Cynthia Erivo, Joseph Gordon-Levitt join Pinocchio remake as Blue Fairy, Jiminy Cricket," 3 Mar. 2021 The first season of Netflix's live-action adaptation of the Nickelodeon's Winx Club cartoon premiered on Jan. 22, introducing the world to Bloom (Abigail Cowen), a fire fairy who has only just learned of her magical abilities. — Olivia Truffaut-wong, refinery29.com, "13 Shows That Will Fill The Fate: The Winx Saga-Shaped Hole In Your Heart," 29 Jan. 2021 Lots of other films, like Disney’s live-action adaptation of Pinocchio, will debut on streaming services, but don’t yet have firm release dates. — Adam Epstein, Quartz, "The 2021 movie calendar is a preview of Hollywood’s new normal," 25 Dec. 2020 Rob Marshall directing this live-action adaptation. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Check Out All the Big Announcements From Disney Investors Day," 11 Dec. 2020 The mayor said one year ago, the city codified its commitment to a more resilient community for the future by ratifying the climate action adaptation plan. — Vincent T. Davis, ExpressNews.com, "Tree planting at Headwaters of San Antonio River kicks off community climate change plan," 10 Oct. 2020

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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Last Updated

14 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Adaptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adaptation. Accessed 17 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for adaptation

adaptation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of adaptation

: something that is adapted especially : a movie, book, play, etc., that is changed so that it can be presented in another form

: a change in a plant or animal that makes it better able to live in a particular place or situation

: the process of changing to fit some purpose or situation : the process of adapting

See the full definition for adaptation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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

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