variation

[vair-ee-ey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act, process, or accident of varying in condition, character, or degree.

   Prices are subject to variation.

   Synonyms: difference, divergence, deviation, modification, alteration, mutation

2. an instance of this.

   There is a variation in the quality of fabrics in this shipment.

3. amount, rate, extent, or degree of change.

   a temperature variation of 40° in a particular climate.

4. a different form of something; variant.

5. Music.

   1. the transformation of a melody or theme with changes or elaborations in harmony, rhythm, and melody.

   2. a varied vary form of a melody or theme, especially one of a series of such forms developing the capacities of the subject.

6. Ballet.,  a solo dance, especially one forming a section of a pas de deux.

7. Astronomy.,  any deviation from the mean orbit of a heavenly body, especially of a planetary or satellite orbit.

8. Also called magnetic declination,. Also called magnetic variation. Navigation.,  the angle between the geographic and the magnetic meridian at a given point, expressed in plus degrees east or minus degrees west of true north.

9. Biology.,  a difference or deviation in structure or character from others of the same species or group.

variation

/ ˌvɛərɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act, process, condition, or result of changing or varying; diversity

2. an instance of varying or the amount, rate, or degree of such change

3. something that differs from a standard or convention

4. music

   1. a repetition of a musical theme in which the rhythm, harmony, or melody is altered or embellished

   2. ( as modifier )

      variation form

5. biology

   1. a marked deviation from the typical form or function

   2. a characteristic or an organism showing this deviation

6. astronomy any change in or deviation from the mean motion or orbit of a planet, satellite, etc, esp a perturbation of the moon

7. another word for magnetic declination

8. ballet a solo dance

9. linguistics any form of morphophonemic change, such as one involved in inflection, conjugation, or vowel mutation

Other Word Forms

• variational adjective
• variative adjective
• variationally adverb
• variatively adverb
• intervariation noun
• nonvariation noun
• overvariation noun
• prevariation noun
• self-variation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of variation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin variātiōn-, stem of variātiō; equivalent to variate + -ion; replacing Middle English variacioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

In the public sphere, there are countless variations on similar mediated versions of the truth, stories that provide a measure of emotional catharsis.

From Los Angeles Times

These variations in methods help explain some of the differences in the shortage estimates.

From Los Angeles Times

Riley’s modern variation of a triple option would work precisely as planned, as Maiava lofted an easy pass to Lyons, who ran 10 yards for his second touchdown in three weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

But the variation and discipline of England's bowling played its part too, with their spinners taking six of the eight wickets.

From BBC

"Now we need to think about the variation of body sizes, doses and any pre-existing conditions."

From BBC

Related Words

• abnormality 
• alteration 
• change 
• deviation 
• discrepancy 
• disparity 
• divergence 
• diversity 
• fluctuation 
• innovation 
• modification 
• mutation 
• shift 
• variety