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

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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

She's also set to star in and executive produce an adaptation of Liane Moriarty's The Husband's Secret. — Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Blake Lively Missed the 2019 Met Gala and People Are Not Pleased," 7 May 2019 The problem with this black-and-white thinking is that having impossibly rigid standards doesn’t allow for any adaptation when life gets in the way. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "13 Mental Strategies to Help You Stick With Your New Exercise Routine," 4 Jan. 2019 This wasn't the only fun that happened at the advanced screening for the movie adaptation of the book by Nicola Yoon. — Sara Delgado, Teen Vogue, ""The Sun Is Also a Star" Actors Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton Helped with an Adorable Promposal," 3 May 2019 The upshot is that Neanderthals and woolly mammoths evolved the same genetic adaptations independently. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Neanderthals and Woolly Mammoths Shared Genetic Traits," 10 Apr. 2019 Loyal fans know the singer has been in London to film the movie adaptation of Cats. — Glamour, "Taylor Swift Wore Animal Print to the Cats Wrap Party, Because of Course She Did," 2 Apr. 2019 The pair are signed on as producers for the upcoming adaptation of Burnett's 2013 memoir, Carrie and Me: A Mother-Daughter Love Story. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Tina Fey and Carol Burnett Are Working on a Movie Based on Burnett's Memoir Carrie and Me," 27 Mar. 2019 Beyond Interest in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale has surged in recent years, thanks to the Hulu adaptation and the election of President Donald Trump. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "All the science fiction and fantasy books we’re looking forward to in 2019," 30 Dec. 2018 Call of the Wild (1935) Clark Gable stars in an early adaptation of Jack London’s classic novel, and if that’s not enough to sway you, the dog is the hero. — Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, "Sick of Holiday Movies? Help Is On the Way," 21 Dec. 2018

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

Statistics for adaptation

Last Updated

3 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for adaptation

The first known use of adaptation was in 1597

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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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