adaptation

noun

ad·ap·ta·tion | \ ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-shən

, -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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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

Recent Examples on the Web

Without mitigation and adaptation policies, many countries are likely to experience sustained temperature increases relative to historical norms and suffer major income losses as a result. — Martin Finucane, BostonGlobe.com, "Hot or cold, rich or poor, countries around globe will not escape wrath of climate change, researchers say," 23 Aug. 2019 The film adaptation recruited a trio of heavy hitters (Amy Adams, Julianne Moore and Gary Oldman) as stars, was filmed in New York last year and scored an awards season release date in October 2019. — Rachel Rosenblit, Washington Post, "You’ve read ‘Woman in the Window,’ and you’re ready to see the movie. So where is it?," 20 Aug. 2019 Film fans may best remember Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 adaptation with its luminous cast. — Martha Ross, The Mercury News, "Is Timothée Chalamet as smoldering as William Shatner was in the 1970s version of ‘Little Women’?," 17 Aug. 2019 Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon were Heathcliff and Cathy in William Wyler's lush adaptation of Emily Bronte's novel, the standard against which all tearjerkers are measured. — Brian Lowry, CNN, "Essential movies of the 1930s and '40s, from 'King Kong' to 'The Heiress'," 15 Aug. 2019 In the fourth and final season of AMC’s comic book adaptation Preacher, tough female lead Tulip O’Hare (Ruth Negga) is subjected to a Rorschach test psych evaluation. — Noah Berlatsky, The Verge, "Preacher is unwatched, unloved, and doomed — but Tulip O’Hare goes on," 14 Aug. 2019 Yesterday the trailer for Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated adaptation of Little Women dropped, starring some of the biggest young stars like Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and Timothée Chalamet. — Tatum Dooley, Teen Vogue, "Little Women Dressing Is Already 2019's Biggest Trend," 14 Aug. 2019 Hulu Every week, a few members of the Vox Culture team gather to talk out the latest episode of The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel. — Emily Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "The Handmaid’s Tale closes a messy season with a surprisingly satisfying finale," 14 Aug. 2019 Sappy, yes, but assured adaptation of Garth Stein's best-selling novel. — SFChronicle.com, "Capsule movie reviews for Aug. 18," 14 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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More Definitions for adaptation

adaptation

noun

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

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-

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

adaptation

Definition of adaptation

Other Words from adaptation

Synonyms for adaptation

Examples of adaptation in a Sentence

First Known Use of adaptation

History and Etymology for adaptation

English Language Learners Definition of adaptation

Kids Definition of adaptation

Medical Definition of adaptation

adaptation

Definition of adaptation

Other Words from adaptation

Synonyms for adaptation

Examples of adaptation in a Sentence

First Known Use of adaptation

History and Etymology for adaptation

English Language Learners Definition of adaptation

Kids Definition of adaptation

Medical Definition of adaptation

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