variation

noun

var·​i·​a·​tion ˌver-ē-ˈā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of varying : the state or fact of being varied

b

: an instance of varying

c

: the extent to which or the range in which a thing varies

2

: declination sense 6

3

a

: a change of algebraic sign between successive terms of a sequence

b

: a measure of the change in data, a variable, or a function

4

: the repetition of a musical theme with modifications in such elements as rhythm, melody, harmony, key, tempo, and accompaniment

5

a

: divergence in the structural or functional characteristics of an organism from the species or population norm or average

b

: something (such as an individual or group) that exhibits variation

6

a

: a solo dance in classic ballet

b

: a repetition in modern ballet of a movement sequence with changes

variational

ˌver-ē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

variationally adverb

Synonyms

• interpretation
• riff
• take

Examples of variation in a Sentence

the movie begins with a somewhat irreverent variation on the Nativity story

the latest in a long line of variations in her hair color

Recent Examples on the Web

But alongside these natural variations, the world continues to blast through climate records, with deadly heat waves becoming the norm. —Heather Chen, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

There are countless variations, from saying their breath stinks to calling their car trash. —Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024

Southern Living Community Tips There are as many variations on Ranch Water as there are fans of the refreshing, easy cocktail. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024

These days, the variations of how and when fans discover and engage with a franchise are more fluid and diverse than ever. —Audrey Schomer, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024

There also will be variations in how much darkness people experience during the eclipse. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024

Scientists have speculated that everything from shifts in core body temperature to hormones to neural activation could be responsible for this morning-to-afternoon variation. —Will Stone, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024

In the Pink Legend has it that pink lemonade—a popular variation often containing strawberry or raspberry juice—originated at U.S. circuses. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024

However, the mimicry of its spread is often done with a slight variation to signify the cultural characteristics of the participating group. —Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English variacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French variacion "variance, discrepancy," borrowed from Latin variātiōn-, variātiō "diversification, divergence," from variāre "to make changeable, vary" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of deverbal nouns

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing variation

• direct variation
• inverse variation

Kids Definition

variation

noun

vari·​a·​tion

ˌver-ē-ˈā-shən,

ˌvar-

1

a

: a change in form, position, or condition

b

: amount of change or difference

2

: the repeating of a musical passage with a change in rhythm, tune, harmony, or key

variations on a theme by Haydn

3

a

: change in the characteristics that are usual for a species or group

b

: an individual or group showing variation

variational

-shnəl

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

variation

noun

var·​i·​a·​tion ˌver-ē-ˈā-shən, ˌvar- 

1

: divergence in one or more characteristics of an organism or biotype from those typical of or usual for its group

2

: something (as an individual or group) that exhibits variation

variational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective