To save this word, you'll need to log in.
co-op·ta·tion | \ ˌkō-ˌäp-ˈtä-shən 
\
\Definition of co-optation
: the act or an instance of co-opting something : a taking over or appropriation of something for a new or different purpose
The co-optation of the raised fist as a patriotic symbol …— Niela Orr Wolfe's shrewd co-optation of hip style in service of a meat-and-potatoes cultural agenda won countless admirers, who hailed him as a brilliant satirist with a voice extravagant as America itself.— Rand Richards Cooper
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on co-optation
What made you want to look up co-optation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Homophone Quiz
- In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a
______.
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share co-optation
Time Traveler for co-optation
The first known use of co-optation was in 1966
See more words from the same year