revolution

noun

rev·o·lu·tion | \ ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən

Definition of revolution

1a(1) : the action by a celestial body of going round in an orbit or elliptical course also : apparent movement of such a body round the earth

(2) : the time taken by a celestial body to make a complete round in its orbit

(3) : the rotation of a celestial body on its axis

b : completion of a course (as of years) also : the period made by the regular succession of a measure of time or by a succession of similar events

c(1) : a progressive motion of a body around an axis so that any line of the body parallel to the axis returns to its initial position while remaining parallel to the axis in transit and usually at a constant distance from it

(2) : motion of any figure about a center or axis revolution of a right triangle about one of its legs generates a cone

(3) : rotation sense 1b

2a : a sudden, radical, or complete change

b : a fundamental change in political organization especially : the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed

c : activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation

d : a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something : a change of paradigm the Copernican revolution

e : a changeover in use or preference especially in technology the computer revolution the foreign car revolution

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Revolution and Revolt Example Sentences Learn More About revolution

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Choose the Right Synonym for revolution

rebellion, revolution, uprising, revolt, insurrection, mutiny mean an outbreak against authority. rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful. open rebellion against the officers revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government). a political revolution that toppled the monarchy uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion. quickly put down the uprising revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds. a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders an insurrection of oppressed laborers mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority. a mutiny led by the ship's cook

Revolution and Revolt

Revolution and revolt have a shared origin, both ultimately going back to the Latin revolvere “to revolve, roll back.” When revolution first appeared in English in the 14th century, it referred to the movement of a celestial body in orbit; that sense was extended to “a progressive motion of a body around an axis,” “completion of a course,” and other senses suggesting regularity of motion or a predictable return to an original position. At virtually the same time, the word developed a sharply different meaning, namely, ”a sudden radical, or complete change,” apparently from the idea of reversal of direction implicit in the Latin verb. Revolt , which initially meant “to renounce allegiance,” grew from the same idea of “rolling back,” in this case from a prior bond of loyalty.

Examples of revolution in a Sentence

The group started a revolution. The king knew that there was a threat of revolution. This new theory could cause a revolution in elementary education. the revolution of the Earth around the Sun The period of revolution of the Earth around the Sun is equal to one year. The Earth makes one revolution on its axis in about 24 hours. This motor operates at a speed of 5,000 revolutions per minute.

Recent Examples on the Web Nelson and Morfoot spoke of the documentary boom and the streaming revolution that has leveled the distribution playing field for docs. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Aug. 2021 The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, which has acted as an Airbnb, crisscrossed the nation, and even hired a few lucky fans for a dream job experience, is joining the rideshare revolution with Lyft. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2021 Many people tout the coming electric vehicle revolution. — Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Aug. 2021 Reuters has a report this week on another way that an EV revolution would change the car world: by causing a surge in orders for the massive manufacturing machines that will be used in the factories built to assemble EVs. — Annie White, Car and Driver, 20 Aug. 2021 Iran’s Islamic revolution ends Western involvement in the country’s nuclear program. — CNN, 19 Aug. 2021 This is the simplest, clearest, cheapest statement on social revolution that Millennial Hollywood has brazened — so far. — Armond White, National Review, 18 Aug. 2021 Where the underpeople — animals given human shape and intelligence and living as servants — are fomenting revolution against the Lords of the Instrumentality. — Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2021 So what is the White House doing to make good on its promise of sparking an E.V. revolution? — Aaron Regunberg, The New Republic, 13 Aug. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'revolution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.