A revolution is a successful attempt by a large group of people to change the political system of their country by force.
The period since the revolution has been one of political turmoil.
...after the French Revolution.
...before the 1917 Revolution.
Synonyms: revolt, rising, coup, rebellion More Synonyms of revolution
2. countable noun
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
The nineteenth century witnessed a revolution in ship design and propulsion. [+ in]
...the industrial revolution.
Synonyms: transformation, shift, innovation, upheaval More Synonyms of revolution
More Synonyms of revolution
revolution in British English
(ˌrɛvəˈluːʃən)
noun
1.
the overthrow or repudiation of a regime or political system by the governed
2.
(in Marxist theory) the violent and historically necessary transition from one system of production in a society to the next, as from feudalism to capitalism
3.
a far-reaching and drastic change, esp in ideas, methods, etc
4.
a.
movement in or as if in a circle
b.
one complete turn in such a circle
a turntable rotating at 33 revolutions per minute
5.
a.
the orbital motion of one body, such as a planet or satellite, around another
Compare rotation (sense 5a)
b.
one complete turn in such motion
6.
a cycle of successive events or changes
7. geology obsolete
a profound change in conditions over a large part of the earth's surface, esp one characterizedby mountain building
an orogenic revolution
Word origin
C14: via Old French from Late Latin revolūtiō, from Latin revolvere to revolve
revolution in American English
(ˌrɛvəˈluʃən)
noun
1.
a.
the movement of an orbiting celestial object, as a star or planet, completely around another object
see also rotation (sense 2)
b.
apparent movement of the sun and stars around the earth
c.
the time taken for a body to go around an orbit and return to its original position
2.
a.
a turning or spinning motion of a body, shaft, etc. around a center or axis; rotation
b.
one complete turn of such a rotating body, shaft, etc.
3.
a complete cycle of events
the revolution of the seasons
4.
a complete or radical change of any kind
a revolution in modern physics
5.
overthrow of a government, form of government, or social system by those governed and usually by forceful means, with another government or system taking its place
the American Revolution (1775), the French Revolution (1789), the Chinese Revolution (1911), the Russian Revolution (1917)
Word origin
ME revolucion < OFr < LL revolutio < L revolutus, pp. of revolvere: see revolve
COBUILD Collocations
revolution
agricultural revolution
democratic revolution
digital revolution
foodie revolution
information revolution
peaceful revolution
promise a revolution
scientific revolution
social revolution
technological revolution
undergo a revolution
welfare revolution
Examples of 'revolution' in a sentence
revolution
At the font of change was a revolution in agriculture.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The information revolution changed all that.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He said that Britain is the home of the industrial revolution and the engine.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
In recent years, the rocketing popularity of the stove has fuelled a revolution in its design.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We have but one thought: revolution in our hearts.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Back then Britain was about to take full advantage of the second industrial revolution, the modernisation of production techniques and investment in infrastructure.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
His revolution would be complete but gradual.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
The foodie revolution in this country is still going strong.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The internet revolution has been one of the great changes in human history.
The Sun (2012)
The twists and turns of each revolution have been significant.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Such an unlikely beginning for a revolution in design.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
What were the main stages of revolution and change?
Stearns, Peter N. World History: Patterns of Change and Continuity (1995)
Since the industrial revolution the country had run a manufacturing trade surplus.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But this is changing in the wake of political revolution.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The shale revolution has turned the industry on its head.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The papal tone changed radically as revolutions gained momentum.
Frank Welsh THE FOUR NATIONS: A History of the United Kingdom (2002)
These corrupt oligarchs live in fear that a country prone to revolution might one day turn against them.
The Sun (2014)
But his mind was on the heroes of the industrial revolution and the engineering he had studied at school.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Our industrial revolution arrived almost overnight.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When the revolution forces his boarding school to close, his bubble bursts.
Christianity Today (2000)
More a nudge back towards the 18th century than a revolution.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But the most glorious revolution of the century has been the flowering of British food.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
High standards and discipline result in sporting success - a complete revolution inside two years.
The Sun (2011)
Once a regime has lost the support of its police and armed forces, revolution is almost inevitable.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Yet the retention of such a system demands a revolution in the appointment, transparency and accountability of judges.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Riders face 4G forces and 360° revolutions.
The Sun (2012)
There are no known examples of classless societies, although twentieth century socialist revolutions throughout the world were largely inspired by a belief in their possibility.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
In other languages
revolution
British English: revolution /ˌrɛvəˈluːʃən/ NOUN
A revolution is a successful attempt by a large group of people to change their country's political system, using force.
Since the revolution there has been political turmoil.
American English: revolution
Arabic: ثَوْرَة
Brazilian Portuguese: revolução
Chinese: 革命
Croatian: revolucija
Czech: revoluce
Danish: revolution
Dutch: revolutie
European Spanish: revolución
Finnish: vallankumous
French: révolution
German: Revolution
Greek: επανάσταση
Italian: rivoluzione
Japanese: 革命
Korean: 혁명
Norwegian: revolusjon
Polish: rewolucja
European Portuguese: revolução
Romanian: revoluție
Russian: революция
Latin American Spanish: revolución
Swedish: revolution
Thai: การปฏิวัติ
Turkish: devrim
Ukrainian: революція
Vietnamese: cuộc cách mạng
All related terms of 'revolution'
Cedar Revolution
the popular protests in 2005 that brought down the Lebanese cabinet and prompted Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon
Chinese Revolution
the overthrow of the last Manchu emperor and the establishment of a republic in China (1911–12)
counter-revolution
A counter-revolution is a revolution that is intended to reverse the effects of a previous revolution.
digital revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
foodie revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
French Revolution
the anticlerical and republican revolution in France from 1789 until 1799, when Napoleon seized power
green revolution
The green revolution is the increase in agricultural production that has been made possible by the use of new types of crops and new farming methods , especially in developing countries.
October Revolution
the uprising in Russia in March 1917, during which the tsar abdicated and a provisional government was set up
palace revolution
a coup d 'é tat made by those already in positions of power, usually with little violence
Quiet Revolution
a period during the 1960s in Quebec , marked by secularization, educational reforms , and rising support for separation from the rest of Canada
Russian Revolution
the uprising in Russia in March 1917, during which the tsar abdicated and a provisional government was set up
silent revolution
a social or political revolution that takes place with little warning and without great fuss or unrest
social revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
velvet revolution
the peaceful overthrow of Czechoslovakia's communist government in late 1989
welfare revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
American Revolution
a sequence of actions by American colonists from 1763 to 1775 protesting British domination and culminating in the Revolutionary War
Bloodless Revolution
→ the Bloodless Revolution
Cultural Revolution
(in China) a mass movement (1965–68), in which the youthful Red Guard played a prominent part. It was initiated by Mao Tse-tung to destroy the power of the bureaucrats and to revolutionize the attitudes and behaviour of the people
democratic revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
February Revolution
the uprising in Russia in March 1917, during which the tsar abdicated and a provisional government was set up
Glorious Revolution
the events of 1688–89 in England that resulted in the ousting of James II and the establishment of William III and Mary II as joint monarchs
Industrial Revolution
the change in social and economic organization resulting from the replacement of hand tools by machine and power tools and the development of large-scale industrial production
information revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
peaceful revolution
A revolution is a successful attempt by a large group of people to change the political system of their country by force.
scientific revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
agricultural revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
period of revolution
the mean time taken for one body, such as a planet , to complete a revolution about another, such as the sun
promise a revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
technological revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
undergo a revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
ellipsoid of revolution
a geometric surface produced by rotating an ellipse about one of its two axes and having circular plane surfaces perpendicular to the axis of revolution
the Bloodless Revolution
the events of 1688–89 in England that resulted in the ousting of James II and the establishment of William III and Mary II as joint monarchs
Great Cultural Revolution
(in China) a mass movement (1965–68), in which the youthful Red Guard played a prominent part. It was initiated by Mao Tse-tung to destroy the power of the bureaucrats and to revolutionize the attitudes and behaviour of the people
the Industrial Revolution
the transformation in the 18th and 19th centuries of first Britain and then other W European countries and the US into industrial nations
Daughters of the American Revolution
an organization of women descended from patriots of the period of the War of Independence
Chinese translation of 'revolution'
revolution
(rɛvəˈluːʃən)
n
(c/u) (Pol) 革命 (gémìng) (场(場), chǎng)
(c) (= change) (in industry, education) 变(變)革 (biàngé) (场(場), chǎng)
(c/u) (= rotation) 旋转(轉)一周 (xuánzhuǎn yī zhōu)
rev
(rɛv) (Aut)
n abbr
(= revolution) 旋转(轉) (xuánzhuǎn)
1 (noun)
Definition
the overthrow of a regime or political system by the governed
after the French Revolution
Synonyms
revolt
a revolt by ordinary people against the leaders
rising
coup
rebellion
They soon put down the rebellion.
uprising
a popular uprising against the authoritarian government
mutiny
A series of mutinies in the armed forces destabilized the regime.
insurgency
Both countries were threatened with insurgencies in the late 1960s.
coup d'état
The government put down an attempted coup d'état last week.
putsch
2 (noun)
Definition
a far-reaching and drastic change
a revolution in ship design and propulsion
Synonyms
transformation
He has undergone a personal transformation.
shift
innovation
technological innovations of the industrial age
upheaval
a prolonged period of political upheaval
reformation
metamorphosis
his metamorphosis from a republican to a democrat
sea change
drastic or radical change
3 (noun)
Definition
one complete turn in a circle
The gear drives a wheel 1/10th revolution per cycle.
Synonyms
rotation
the daily rotation of the earth upon its axis
turn
The rear sprocket will turn only twice for one turn of the pedals.
cycle
the business cycle of recession and rebound
circle
wheel
spin
a spin of the roulette wheel
lap
the last lap of the race
circuit
She made a slow circuit of the room.
orbit
the point at which the planet's orbit is closest to the sun
whirl
the whirl of snowflakes in the wind
gyration
He continued his enthusiastic gyrations on stage.
round
The consultant did his morning round.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of circuit
Definition
a complete route or course, esp. one that is circular or that lies around an object
She made a slow circuit of the room.
Synonyms
lap,
round,
tour,
revolution,
orbit,
perambulation
in the sense of coup d'état
The government put down an attempted coup d'état last week.
Synonyms
overthrow,
takeover,
coup,
rebellion,
putsch,
seizure of power,
palace revolution
in the sense of cycle
Definition
a complete series of recurring events
the business cycle of recession and rebound
Synonyms
series of events,
round,
circle,
revolution,
rotation
Synonyms of 'revolution'
revolution
Explore 'revolution' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of gyration
He continued his enthusiastic gyrations on stage.
Synonyms
rotation,
revolution,
spin,
spinning,
whirl,
whirling,
pirouette,
convolution
in the sense of innovation
Definition
the act of innovating
technological innovations of the industrial age
Synonyms
change,
revolution,
departure,
introduction,
variation,
transformation,
upheaval,
alteration
in the sense of insurgency
Both countries were threatened with insurgencies in the late 1960s.
Synonyms
rebellion,
rising,
revolution,
resistance,
revolt,
uprising,
mutiny,
insurrection,
insurgence
in the sense of lap
Definition
one circuit of a racecourse or track
the last lap of the race
Synonyms
circuit,
course,
round,
tour,
leg,
distance,
stretch,
circle,
orbit,
loop
in the sense of metamorphosis
Definition
a complete change of character or appearance
his metamorphosis from a republican to a democrat
Synonyms
transformation,
conversion,
alteration,
change,
mutation,
rebirth,
changeover,
transfiguration,
transmutation,
transubstantiation,
transmogrification (humorous)
in the sense of mutiny
Definition
open rebellion against authority, esp. by sailors or soldiers against their officers
A series of mutinies in the armed forces destabilized the regime.
Synonyms
rebellion,
revolt,
uprising,
insurrection,
rising,
strike,
revolution,
riot,
resistance,
disobedience,
insubordination,
refusal to obey orders
in the sense of orbit
Definition
the curved path followed by something, such as a heavenly body or spacecraft, in its motion around another body
the point at which the planet's orbit is closest to the sun
Synonyms
path,
course,
track,
cycle,
circle,
revolution,
passage,
rotation,
trajectory,
sweep,
ellipse,
circumgyration
in the sense of rebellion
Definition
organized opposition to a government or other authority involving the use of violence
They soon put down the rebellion.
Synonyms
resistance,
rising,
revolution,
revolt,
uprising,
mutiny,
insurrection,
insurgency,
insurgence
in the sense of round
Definition
a series of calls
The consultant did his morning round.
Synonyms
course,
turn,
tour,
circuit,
beat,
series,
schedule,
routine,
compass,
ambit
in the sense of spin
Definition
a fast rotating motion
a spin of the roulette wheel
Synonyms
revolution,
roll,
whirl,
twist,
gyration
Additional synonyms
in the sense of turn
The rear sprocket will turn only twice for one turn of the pedals.
Synonyms
rotation,
turning,
cycle,
circle,
revolution,
spin,
twist,
reversal,
whirl,
swivel,
pivot,
gyration
in the sense of upheaval
Definition
a strong, sudden, or violent disturbance
a prolonged period of political upheaval
Synonyms
disturbance,
revolution,
disorder,
turmoil,
overthrow,
disruption,
eruption,
cataclysm,
violent change
in the sense of uprising
Definition
a revolt or rebellion
a popular uprising against the authoritarian government