adaptive
adjective
adap·tive
| \ ə-ˈdap-tiv
, a-\
, a-\
Definition of adaptive
1
: providing, contributing to, or marked by adaptation : arising as a result of adaptation
… left ventricular hypertrophy should not be considered solely an adaptive response to an increased ventricular workload.— Edward D. Frohlich et al. An effort to identify the healthy adaptive need that is being met by a patient's behavior can result in increased empathy for the patient.— Thomas O. Brackett
specifically
: of, relating to, or being a heritable trait that serves a specific function and improves an organism's fitness or survival
Webbed feet is an adaptive trait in aquatic animals.
2a
: designed or intended to assist disabled persons : assistive
adaptive devices
b
: engaged in by disabled persons with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for a disability
adaptive skiing
c
: participating in a sport with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for disability
an adaptive skier
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Other Words from adaptive
adaptively
adverb
adaptiveness
noun
adaptivity
\ ˌa-ˌdap-ˈti-və-tē
\
noun
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noun
Examples of adaptive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Attendees will have the opportunity to play adaptive sports, learn new dance moves and attend informative workshops. — Houston Chronicle, "Family Fun: Abilities Expo, Harry Potter Birthday Bash," 1 Aug. 2019 Day said the technology of equipment and uniforms has greatly expanded the potential of athletes in adaptive sports. — chicagotribune.com, "Great Lakes Games showcase adaptive sports athletes," 18 June 2019 New this year is Super Girl’s first adaptive competition for six female surfers with disabilities, on Sunday. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Women’s Super Girl Surf Pro returns to Oceanside with first adaptive contest," 27 July 2019 Instructors offer adaptive techniques for each sport a camper is interested in, from football and soccer to skiing and fishing. — Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE.com, "Boy, 14, with Limb Differences Tackles 20-Inch Box Jump in Inspiring Viral Video," 24 July 2019 First, a person can vote on a screen or using an Xbox adaptive controller, for those with limited mobility. — Alex Ward, Vox, "Microsoft says it notified nearly 10,000 customers that they were cyberattack victims," 17 July 2019 This new vision for Houston’s Barbara Jordan Post Office, to be called POST Houston, will be one of the city’s largest adaptive reuse projects. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Sprawling Houston post office reborn with High Line-style rooftop park," 11 July 2019 The alternative is to modify our lifestyles to fit within our environmental constraints: use less water-thirsty crops, leverage the adaptive assets of local plants and animals (no-tillage farming and bison) to more efficiently use our land. — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: Rounding up geese from parks — cruel or beneficial? (7/7/19)," 7 July 2019 On Wednesday, Van Dyken-Rouen will begin competing in the WheelWOD Games, an adaptive CrossFit competition that requires making a cut to the top 12 in the world to earn an invitation. — Editors, USA TODAY, "9/11 first responder laid to rest, holiday travel, World Cup action: 5 things to know Wednesday," 3 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adaptive.' 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 adaptive
adaptive
adjective
adap·tive
| \ ə-ˈdap-tiv
\
\
Medical Definition of adaptive
1
: capable of, suited to, or contributing to adaptation
… adaptive traits that enhance survival and diversification of species … — Science News, 1 Feb. 1986
2a
: used to assist a person with a disability in performing a certain task or activity : assistive
Adaptive equipment might include Braille keyboards, voice synthesizers and adjustable-height computer tables.— Stuart Gordon, The Modesto (California) Bee, 15 Dec. 1995
b
: engaged in by disabled persons with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for a disability
It is called wheelchair basketball, an adaptive sport for disabled people … — James Nix, The Independent Tribune (Concord, North Carolina), 17 Feb. 2010
c
: participating in a sport with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for a disability
Ever seen those inspirational adaptive skiers cranking down the mountain in their ski chairs, or with a blind skier guide?— Moira McCarthy, The Boston Herald, 10 Jan. 2007