revolution

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˌrɛvəˈl(j)uːʃən/

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• Hyphenation: re‧vo‧lu‧tion

Noun

Singular revolution

Plural revolutions

The French Revolution in 1789-91.

1. (countable) A revolution is a sudden significant change.

   The Industrial Revolution began when machines were able to make things quicker and cheaper than people.

   In the 1960s, you had the women's revolution, the sexual revolution, and all sorts of change.

2. (countable) A revolution is a war against the government by the country's own people.

   There was a revolution in France in 1789.

3. (countable & uncountable) When a wheel turns around once it has made a revolution; going in a circle; turning; revolving.

   The hour hand on the clock makes one revolution in twelve hours.

4. (countable) (astronomy) A revolution is when one object (like a planet) goes in a circle around another object (like a star).

   One revolution of Earth is 365 days long. One revolution of Venus is 225 days long.

Synonyms

• revolt
• rebellion

Related words

• revolve