revolution

noun rev·o·lu·tion \ˌre-və-ˈlü-shən\

: 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

Full Definition of REVOLUTION

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> (3) : rotation 1b

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>

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Origin of REVOLUTION

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REVOLUTION

Synonyms: gyration, pirouette, reel, spin, roll, rotation, twirl, wheel, whirl

Synonym Discussion of 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>.