metamorphosis

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noun meta·mor·pho·sis \ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs\

Definition of metamorphosis

plural

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

See metamorphosis defined for English-language learners

See metamorphosis defined for kids

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

There are no clear indications that these animals underwent metamorphosis, and indeed the pelvic girdles and limbs of at least some taxa (only a few provide the sufficient data) ossified early in development (Olori 2015).

— darren naish, Scientific American Blog Network, "The Microsaurs of Yore," 7 July 2017
Back in 2015, at a summer course in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, some graduate students had a relatively simple idea that would enable them to get a closer look into this metamorphosis.

— shaena montanari, National Geographic, "See a Caterpillar Transform Into a Butterfly Up Close," 30 June 2017
The Sox, however, do belong in the broader conversation about how this flurry of activity reflects how each of our city's sports teams, with the exception of the World Series champion Cubs, is experiencing a metamorphosis.

— david haugh, chicagotribune.com, "A seismic week: Extraordinary 72 hours stun Chicago sports world," 24 June 2017
The renovation will be the second metamorphosis for the nearly 81-year-old park.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "Jungle Island is getting a new identity: an action-adventure park," 18 June 2017
The ideal of manicured green blades for front yards is undergoing something of a metamorphosis as the pressure is on to preserve natural resources.

— anne geggis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fed up with your water-guzzling lawn? Some cities are giving homeowners more options," 16 June 2017
The wads of gum might fade or darken, or shrink and crack, which could be visually or conceptually pleasing to some viewers who consider the metamorphosis part of Colen’s aesthetic.

— jacoba urist, The Atlantic, "How Do You Conserve Art Made of Bologna, or Bubble Gum, or Soap?," 9 June 2017
The works were inspired by those rides, but also how the same landscapes started to change over years - a metamorphosis that burned a hole into Cochran's memory.

— john petkovic, cleveland.com, "BAYarts show travels back roads of Ohio to capture trouble on the farm," 8 June 2017
In its call for artists’ submissions last fall, the Fremont Art Review Board chose a theme of metamorphosis to represent the changes transforming downtown into a vibrant social gathering hub.

— joseph geha, The Mercury News, "Fremont: Downtown street corner illuminated with ‘Space Glow’," 1 June 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

METAMORPHOSIS Defined for English Language Learners

metamorphosis

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noun

Definition of metamorphosis for English Language Learners

: a major change in the appearance or character of someone or something
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

play

noun meta·mor·pho·sis \ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs\

Definition of metamorphosis for Students

plural

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

play

noun meta·mor·pho·sis \ˌmet-ə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs\

Medical Definition of metamorphosis

plural

metamorphoses

\-ˌsēz\play

1: 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