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adaptation

noun
ad·​ap·​ta·​tion | \ ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce adaptation (audio) , -dəp-\

Definition of adaptation

1 : something that is adapted a new adaptation of an old recipe specifically : a composition rewritten into a new form a screen adaptation of a novel
2 : the act or process of adapting a process undergoing adaptation : the state of being adapted adaptation to changing circumstances
3 : adjustment to environmental conditions: such as
a : adjustment of a sense organ to the intensity or quality of stimulation
b : modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence under the conditions of its environment : a heritable physical or behavioral trait that serves a specific function and improves an organism's fitness or survival
Other Words from adaptation Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about adaptation

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Other Words from adaptation

adaptational \ -​shnəl How to pronounce adaptational (audio) , -​shə-​nᔊl \ adjective
adaptationally adverb

Examples of adaptation in a Sentence

His stage adaptation of the novel was a success. The film is an adaptation of a book of the same title. The insect's evolutionary adaptations enable it to be almost invisible even when sitting in the middle of a leaf. a tool designed for easy adaptation
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Menken and Ashman concocted this adaptation of Roger Corman’s cult film well before their Disney masterpieces. — Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, "Lyric Stage’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is a garden of grisly delights," 6 Sep. 2019 This has led to speculation that Warner Bros. might have acquired theatrical rights to the stage production or be planning a film adaptation. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "J.K. Rowling sends internet into a frenzy with mysterious Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tweet," 5 Sep. 2019 Now this puppet-heavy adaptation by artist Jonathan Rockefeller arrives in Chicago (having already played around the world, from Australia to Dubai to the Netherlands). — Web Behrens, chicagotribune.com, "Labor Day is over, time to start planning for fall. Here’s a list of awesome family activities around Chicago.," 4 Sep. 2019 Armed with this transparency and knowledge, a company can create a set of resiliency and adaptation measures to reconfigure internal operations and supply chains, redirect capital to growth areas and new business, and protect assets. — Dickon Pinner, Fortune, "Earth to CEO: Your Company Is Already at Risk From Climate Change," 3 Sep. 2019 Find Me, AndrĂ© Aciman (Oct. 29) Fans of Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name and the Academy-Award winning film adaptation will finally get some answers about what happened to Elio and Oliver. — Annabel Gutterman, Time, "The 42 Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2019," 30 Aug. 2019 Governments could implement adaptation measures for the changing climate such as building sea walls on vulnerable coastlines, planning for changes in food production patterns, and the massive migration that may follow. — Yossi Sheffi, Quartz, "Removing mini-shampoos from hotel rooms won’t save the environment," 29 Aug. 2019 Campy adaptations of the Gothic horror story have robbed Bram Stoker’s novel of much of its power. — Mary Carole Mccauley, baltimoresun.com, "Top Baltimore arts events for fall 2019," 29 Aug. 2019 Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 adaptation of Hamlet clocked in at a sadistic four hours and two minutes. — Adam Epstein, Quartzy, "At 3.5 hours, “The Irishman” will be Martin Scorsese’s longest movie ever," 28 Aug. 2019

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

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First Known Use of adaptation

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for adaptation

borrowed from French & Medieval Latin; French, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin adaptātiƍn-, adaptātiƍ, from Latin adaptāre "to adapt" + -tiƍn-, -tiƍ, suffix of verbal action

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More Definitions for adaptation

adaptation

noun
How to pronounce adaptation (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of adaptation

: something that is adapted especially : a movie, book, play, etc., that is changed so that it can be presented in another form
: a change in a plant or animal that makes it better able to live in a particular place or situation
: the process of changing to fit some purpose or situation : the process of adapting

See the full definition for adaptation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

adaptation

noun
ad·​ap·​ta·​tion | \ ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce adaptation (audio) \

Kids Definition of adaptation

1 : the act or process of changing to better suit a situation
2 : a body part or feature or a behavior that helps a living thing survive and function better in its environment

adaptation

noun
ad·​ap·​ta·​tion | \ ˌad-ˌap-ˈtā-shən, -əp- How to pronounce adaptation (audio) \

Medical Definition of adaptation

1 : the act or process of adapting : the state of being adapted his ingenious adaptation of the electric cautery knife to
surgery— George Blumer
2 : adjustment to environmental conditions: as
a : adjustment of a sense organ to the intensity or quality of stimulation
b : modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence under the conditions of its environment — compare adjustment sense 1b

Other Words from adaptation

adaptational \ -​shnəl, -​shən-​ᔊl How to pronounce adaptational (audio) \ adjective
adaptationally <

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