adaptation

noun

ad·​ap·​ta·​tion ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-shən 

-dəp-

1

: something that is adapted

a new adaptation of an old recipe

specifically : a composition rewritten into a new form

a screen adaptation of a novel

2

: the act or process of adapting

a process undergoing adaptation

: the state of being adapted

adaptation to changing circumstances

3

: adjustment to environmental conditions: such 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 : a heritable physical or behavioral trait that serves a specific function and improves an organism's fitness or survival

adaptational

ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-dəp-

adjective

adaptationally adverb

Synonyms

• acclimation
• acclimatization
• accommodation
• adaption
• adjustment
• conformation

Examples of adaptation in a Sentence

His stage adaptation of the novel was a success.

The film is an adaptation of a book of the same title.

The insect's evolutionary adaptations enable it to be almost invisible even when sitting in the middle of a leaf.

a tool designed for easy adaptation

Recent Examples on the Web

Clown in a Cornfield, which opened in theaters nationwide on Friday, is an adaptation of author Adam Cesare’s Bram Stoker Award-winning young adult novel from 2020. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

Among Baldoni’s claims are that Swift and Reynolds, 48, pressured him into accepting one of Lively's rewrites for screenwriter Christy Hall's adaptation of Colleen Hoover's hit novel. —Charna Flam, People.com, 10 May 2025

The actress booked several prominent screen roles in her youth, playing Perry Como's daughter on Perry Como's Chesterfield Supper Club in 1949 and appearing in a 1955 TV movie adaptation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with Thomas Mitchell and John Carradine. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 10 May 2025

When Kidman starred at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre in Covent Garden in the 1998 production of The Blue Room, an adaptation by David Hare of Arthur Schnitzler’s La Ronde, directed by Sam Mendes, Cruise watched the first preview through a small window of a production booth on the side of the stage. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Medieval Latin; French, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin adaptātiōn-, adaptātiō, from Latin adaptāre "to adapt" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing adaptation

• counter-adaptation
• dark adaptation
• light adaptation

Rhymes for adaptation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

adaptation

noun

ad·​ap·​ta·​tion ˌad-ˌap-ˈtā-shən 

-əp-

1

a

: the act or process of adapting

b

: the state of being adapted

2

: adjustment to environmental conditions: as

a

: adjustment of a sense organ to the degree or quality of stimulation

b

: change in an organism or its parts that fits it better for the conditions of its environment

also : a structure resulting from this change

3

: something that is adapted

especially : a composition rewritten into a new form

adaptational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

adaptationally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

adaptation

noun

ad·​ap·​ta·​tion ˌad-ˌap-ˈtā-shən, -əp- 

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 sense 1b

adaptational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

adaptationally

-ē 

adverb