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revolution

noun
rev·​o·​lu·​tion | \ ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce revolution (audio) \

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 But really, that revolution is more about the NFL, where 13 of the 32 head coaches (41 percent) took the quarterback to play caller to head coach route. — Doug Lesmerises, cleveland.com, "How Ryan Day, master doodler, turned his QB brain into Ohio State’s head coaching job," 30 Aug. 2019 His work fostered a revolution in dairy science that continues today at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Dairy Research. — Rick Barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Margarine smugglers, a deadly milk war and more flavor Wisconsin's dairy history," 28 Aug. 2019 In news releases, Griddy promised to launch a revolution in the Texas electricity marketplace that would change the balance of power in favor of consumers. — Dallas News, "Texans pay more for electricity now than other major markets. A wholesale price record is to blame," 23 Aug. 2019 Juana Maria was in her early 20s when Cuba’s revolution started in 1953. — Anastasia Miari, 1843, "Magic grannies are stopping Cuba going hungry," 7 Aug. 2019 The electric car revolution is not a shift that will happen overnight. — Sean O'kane, The Verge, "This Tesla-powered Porsche 912 is the new face of vintage restorations," 1 Aug. 2019 By the time that revolution was complete, humanity had learned that Earth is not the center of the universe but simply a planet circling an ordinary star, one of countless stars in a galaxy that is one of countless galaxies. — Adam Kirsch, WSJ, "Our Quest for Meaning in the Heavens," 28 June 2019 Mitchie Brusco pulled off the first 1260 in skateboarding history at the X-Games Minneapolis on Saturday, completing three-and-a-half revolutions before landing. — Michael Shapiro, SI.com, "Mitchie Brusco Completes First-Ever 1260 at X-Games Minneapolis," 3 Aug. 2019 The revolution of 2011 brought a brief stint as interim prime minister. — The Economist, "Tunisians say goodbye to President Beji Caid Essebsi," 1 Aug. 2019

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.

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First Known Use of revolution

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

History and Etymology for revolution

Middle English revolucioun, from Middle French revolution, from Late Latin revolution-, revolutio, from Latin revolvere to revolve

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More Definitions for revolution

revolution

noun
How to pronounce revolution (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of revolution

: the usually violent attempt by many people to end the rule of one government and start a new one
: a sudden, extreme, or complete change in the way people live, work, etc.
: the action of moving around something in a path that is similar to a circle

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

revolution

noun
rev·​o·​lu·​tion | \ ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce revolution (audio) \

Kids Definition of revolution

1 : the action by a heavenly body of going round in a fixed course The revolution of the earth around the sun marks one year.
2 : a spinning motion around a center or axis : rotation

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