revolutionize

verb rev·o·lu·tion·ize \ ˌre-və-ˈlü-shə-ˌnīz \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of revolutionize

revolutionized; revolutionizing

transitive verb

1 : to overthrow the established government of

2 : to imbue with revolutionary doctrines

3 : to change fundamentally or completely

revolutionize an industry

intransitive verb

: to engage in revolution

—

revolutionizer

noun

See revolutionize defined for English-language learners

See revolutionize defined for kids

Examples of revolutionize in a Sentence

The invention of the airplane revolutionized travel.
This new drug may revolutionize cancer treatment.
This discovery has revolutionized our understanding of how the human brain works.

Recent Examples of revolutionize from the Web

Protxx revolutionizes how head injuries are identified, assessed and treated to minimize long-term effects.

— noel harris, sacbee, "How a Rocklin-based startup capitalized on the Kings' crowdsourced business contest | The Sacramento Bee," 5 Apr. 2018
English clockmaker John Harrison revolutionized long distance seafaring in the 18th century, solving the problem of calculating longitude at sea and devising tools that helped sailors navigate with precision.

— eli meixler, Time, "Who Is John Harrison? Why Google Is Celebrating the English Clockmaker," 3 Apr. 2018
Years before The Sopranos, deservedly lauded for launching the current golden age of television, Bochco revolutionized a staid medium dominated by three broadcast networks with his first series, NBC's Hill Street Blues, in 1981.

— bill keveney, USA TODAY, "Remembering Steven Bochco, TV producer behind 'Hill Street,' 'L.A. Law,' 'NYPD Blue'," 2 Apr. 2018
HemisFair also revolutionized San Antonio’s convention industry.

— jennifer hiller, San Antonio Express-News, "What started at HemisFair changed the city and its economy," 1 Apr. 2018
Lazarus revolutionized the toy retail business after opening a baby furniture store in Washington in 1948.

— james f. peltz, latimes.com, "Bratz dolls maker's CEO leads bids to save hundreds of Toys R Us stores," 22 Mar. 2018
The Fire revolutionized their lineup with three changes in relation to the home loss to Sporting Kansas City last weekend in the season debut.

— josé luis sánchez pando, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Fire struggles continue in Minnesota," 18 Mar. 2018
In the video, long snapper Liam McCullough revolutionized the donut game.

— tim bielik, cleveland.com, "Michigan's Dylan McCaffrey and family help rescue man in rock climbing accident: Buckeye Breakfast," 8 Mar. 2018
The iPod and the iTunes Store revolutionized how music was consumed -- as digital downloads rather than physical CDs.

— mark gurman and debby wu, Houston Chronicle, "Apple to turn up audio ambition with high-end headphones," 5 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of revolutionize

1797

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

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REVOLUTIONIZE Defined for English Language Learners

revolutionize

verb

Definition of revolutionize for English Language Learners

: to change (something) very much or completely : to cause a revolution in (something)

REVOLUTIONIZE Defined for Kids

revolutionize

verb rev·o·lu·tion·ize \ ˌre-və-ˈlü-shə-ˌnīz \

Definition of revolutionize for Students

revolutionized; revolutionizing

: to change greatly or completely

The invention of the airplane revolutionized travel.

Learn More about revolutionize

See words that rhyme with revolutionize Spanish Central: Translation of revolutionize Nglish: Translation of revolutionize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of revolutionize for Arabic speakers

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revolutionize

Definition of revolutionize

revolutionizer

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REVOLUTIONIZE Defined for English Language Learners

revolutionize

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revolutionize

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revolutionize

Definition of revolutionize

revolutionizer

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