Dictionary

adaptation

noun ad·ap·ta·tion \ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-shən, -dəp-\

: 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

Full Definition of ADAPTATION

1
:  the act or process of adapting :  the state of being adapted
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
3
:  something that is adapted; specifically :  a composition rewritten into a new form
ad·ap·ta·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective
ad·ap·ta·tion·al·ly adverb
ADVERTISEMENT

First Known Use of ADAPTATION

1610

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with ADAPTATION

abdication, aberration, abjuration, abnegation, abrogation, acceptation, acclamation, accusation, activation, adjuration, admiration, adoration, adulation, adumbration, affectation, affirmation, aggravation, aggregation, agitation, allegation, allocation, amputation, alteration, altercation, animation, annexation, annotation, appellation, application, approbation, arbitration, arrogation, aspiration, assignation, attestation, augmentation, automation, aviation, avocation, blaxploitation, botheration, calculation, calibration, cancellation, carbonation, castigation, celebration, cerebration, chlorination, circulation, cogitation, collocation, coloration, combination, comfort station, commendation, commutation, compensation, complication, computation, concentration, condemnation, condensation, confirmation, confiscation, conflagration, conformation, confrontation, congregation, conjugation, connotation, consecration, conservation, consolation, constellation, consternation, constipation, consultation, consummation, contemplation, conurbation, conversation, convocation, copulation, coronation, corporation, correlation, corrugation, crenellation, crop rotation, culmination, cultivation, cumulation, cybernation, decimation, declamation, declaration, declination, decoration, dedication, defamation, defecation, deformation, degradation, dehydration, delectation, delegation, demarcation, demonstration, denigration, denotation, depilation, deportation, depravation, depredation, deputation, derivation, derogation, desecration, designation, desolation, desperation, destination, detestation, detonation, devastation, deviation, dislocation, dispensation, disputation, dissertation, dissipation, distillation, divination, domination, education, elevation, elongation, emanation, embarkation, embrocation, emendation, emigration, emulation, enervation, escalation, estimation, evocation, exaltation, excavation, excitation, exclamation, exculpation, execration, exhalation, exhortation, exhumation, expectation, expiation, expiration, explanation, explication, exploitation, exploration, exportation, expurgation, extirpation, exultation, fabrication, fascination, federation, fenestration, fermentation, fibrillation, figuration, filling station, fire station, flagellation, fluoridation, fluctuation, forestation, formulation, fornication, fragmentation, fulmination, fumigation, gene mutation, generation, germination, glaciation, graduation, granulation, gravitation, habitation, hesitation, hibernation, hyphenation, ideation, imitation, immigration, immolation, implantation, implication, importation, imprecation, imputation, incantation, incarnation, inclination, incrustation, incubation, indentation, indication, indignation, infestation, infiltration, inflammation, information, inhalation, innovation, inspiration, installation, instigation, insulation, integration, intimation, intonation, inundation, invitation, invocation, irrigation, irritation, iteration, jubilation, laceration, lamentation, lamination, legislation, levitation, liberation, limitation, lineation, liquidation, litigation, lubrication, lucubration, maceration, machination, malformation, masturbation, maturation, mediation, medication, meditation, melioration, menstruation, ministration, mitigation, moderation, modulation, molestation, motivation, mutilation, navigation, nomination, obfuscation, objurgation, obligation, observation, occupation, operation, orchestration, ordination, oscillation, osculation, ostentation, ovulation, oxidation, pagination, palpitation, penetration, percolation, perforation, permeation, permutation, perpetration, perspiration, perturbation, pigmentation, pixilation, police station, pollination, population, postulation, power station, predication, preparation, presentation, preservation, proclamation, procreation, profanation, prolongation, promulgation, propagation, prorogation, protestation, provocation, publication, punctuation, radiation, recantation, recitation, reclamation, re-creation, recreation, reformation, refutation, registration, regulation, rehydration, relaxation, relocation, renovation, reparation, replication, reprobation, reputation, reservation, resignation, respiration, restoration, retardation, revelation, revocation, ruination, rumination, rustication, salutation, sanitation, saturation, segmentation, segregation, separation, sequestration, service station, sexploitation, simulation, situation, speciation, speculation, spoliation, stimulation, stipulation, strangulation, structuration, stylization, subjugation, sublimation, suffocation, syncopation, syndication, tabulation, termination, T formation, titillation, toleration, transfer station, transformation, translocation, transmigration, transmutation, transpiration, transplantation, transportation, trepidation, tribulation, ulceration, ululation, undulation, urination, vaccination, vacillation, validation, valuation, variation, vegetation, veneration, ventilation, vindication, violation, visitation, weather station
ADAPTATION Defined for Kids

adaptation

noun ad·ap·ta·tion \ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-shən\

Definition of ADAPTATION for Kids

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
Medical Dictionary

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 1b
ad·ap·ta·tion·al \-shnəl, -shən-əl\ adjective
ad·ap·ta·tion·al·ly \-ē\ adverb

Browse

6 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: adaptationistPrevious Word in the Dictionary: adaptateAll Words Near: adaptation
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears