revolution

noun

rev·​o·​lu·​tion ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce revolution (audio)
1
a(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
2
a
: 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

Did you know?

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.

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

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.
Recent Examples on the Web Earlier this month, Guy Philippe, a rebel leader who was recently repatriated by the United States to Haiti after serving time for money laundering, called for a revolution. Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Parallel to these technological advancements, the continent is experiencing a grassroots bitcoin revolution, driven by a young, innovative population. Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 But when Buck reached cinemas in the spring of 1972, audiences struggled to connect with it, in part because of a revolution in Black cinema that Melvin had already helped to kick-start. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 The statue — commissioned by King Louis XVI's daughter after his execution during the French revolution — was moved multiple times after it was first displayed in 1830. Roberto Roldan, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 The digital revolution would liberate news from printing presses, giving people portable devices that kept them informed all day long. David Streitfeld, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 Canadian pension funds have been among the world’s most prolific buyers of real estate, starting a revolution that inspired retirement plans around the globe to emulate them. Ari Altstedter, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 And this revolution isn’t reserved for a select few, either. Pace Morby, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 To view the revolution taking place in California’s commercial cannabis industry, head to the Central Coast. Brad Branan, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'revolution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English revolucioun "rotation of the heavenly spheres around the earth, cyclical recurrence, completed motion around an axis, change of fortune," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French revolucion "return of a celestial body to its point of departure, recurrence," borrowed from Medieval Latin revolūtiōn-, revolūtiō, going back to Late Latin, "a rolling back, return, recurrence," from Latin revolū-, variant stem of revolvere "to roll back to a starting point, (passive) travel in a circular course, return to a starting point" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at revolve

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of revolution was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near revolution

Cite this Entry

“Revolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revolution. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

revolution

noun
rev·​o·​lu·​tion ˌrev-ə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce revolution (audio)
1
a
: the action by a heavenly body of going round in an orbit
b
: the time taken to complete one orbit
2
: completion of a course (as of years) : cycle
3
a
: the action or motion of revolving : a turning round a center or axis : rotation
b
: a single complete turn (as of a wheel or a phonograph record)
4
a
: a sudden, extreme, or complete change
b
: a basic change in government
especially : the overthrow of one government and the substitution of another by the governed

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