Definition of metamorphosis
metamorphoses
play \-ˌsēz\1a : change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means the metamorphosis of humans into animalsb : a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances The company has gone through a series of metamorphoses.
2 : a typically marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (such as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching the metamorphosis of caterpillars into butterflies
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Examples of metamorphosis in a Sentence
We have watched her metamorphosis from a shy schoolgirl into a self-confident businesswoman.
a company that has gone through a series of metamorphoses
The government has undergone political metamorphosis since his election.
the metamorphosis of tadpoles into frogs
The class learned about how caterpillars undergo metamorphosis to become butterflies.
Recent Examples of metamorphosis from the Web
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Nostalgia—generally defined as a sentimental longing for bygone times—underwent a particularly significant metamorphosis in 1888, when Kodak released the first commercially successful camera for amateurs.
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The Flushing line’s route across Queens might be the same, but the passengers have undergone a remarkable metamorphosis.
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Is the idea of metamorphosis important to your work?
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At around 64% of the way through metamorphosis, the actin bundles begin to disappear, and the finishing touches are added to the scale.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'metamorphosis'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Many ancient myths end in a metamorphosis. As Apollo is chasing the nymph Daphne, she calls on her river-god father for help and he turns her into a laurel tree to save her. Out of anger and jealousy, the goddess Athena turns the marvelous weaver Arachne into a spider that will spin only beautiful webs. But natural substances may also metamorphose, or undergo metamorphosis. Heat and pressure over thousands of years may eventually turn tiny organisms into petroleum, and coal into diamonds. And the most beloved of natural metamorphoses (notice how this plural is formed) is probably the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies.
Origin and Etymology of metamorphosis
Latin, from Greek metamorphōsis, from metamorphoun to transform, from meta- + morphē form
METAMORPHOSIS Defined for English Language Learners
metamorphosis
playDefinition of metamorphosis for English Language Learners
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: a major change in the appearance or character of someone or something
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biology : a major change in the form or structure of some animals or insects that happens as the animal or insect becomes an adult
METAMORPHOSIS Defined for Kids
metamorphosis
playDefinition of metamorphosis for Students
metamorphoses
\-fə-ˌsēz\1 : a great change in appearance or character
2 : the process of great and usually rather sudden change in the form and habits of some animals during transformation from an immature stage (as a caterpillar) to an adult stage (as a butterfly)
Medical Dictionary
metamorphosis
playMedical Definition of metamorphosis
metamorphoses
\-ˌsēz\play1: change of physical form, structure, or substance
2: a marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching
Learn More about metamorphosis
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for metamorphosis Spanish Central: Translation of metamorphosis Nglish: Translation of metamorphosis for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of metamorphosis for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about metamorphosis
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