revolutionary

American  

[rev-uh-loo-shuh-ner-ee] / ˌrɛv əˈlu ʃəˌnɛr i /

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of a revolution, or a sudden, complete, or marked change.

   a revolutionary junta.

2. radically new or innovative; outside or beyond established procedure, principles, etc..

   a revolutionary discovery.

   Synonyms:

   unorthodox, drastic, novel, unprecedented

3. (initial capital letter) of or relating to the American Revolution or to the period contemporaneous with it in U.S. history.

   Revolutionary heroes; Revolutionary weapons.

4. revolving.

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noun

plural

revolutionaries

1. a revolutionist.

revolutionary ¹ British  

/ ˌrɛvəˈluːʃənərɪ /

noun

1. a person who advocates or engages in revolution

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adjective

1. relating to or characteristic of a revolution

2. advocating or engaged in revolution

3. radically new or different

   a revolutionary method of making plastics

4. rotating or revolving

Revolutionary ² British  

/ ˌrɛvəˈluːʃənərɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to the conflict or period of the War of American Independence (1775–83)

2. of or relating to any of various other Revolutions, esp the Russian Revolution (1917) or the French Revolution (1789)

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Other Word Forms

• antirevolutionary noun
• nonrevolutionary adjective
• post-Revolutionary adjective
• prerevolutionary adjective
• prorevolutionary adjective
• revolutionarily adverb
• revolutionariness noun
• semirevolutionary adjective
• ultrarevolutionary adjective
• unrevolutionary adjective

Etymology

Origin of revolutionary

First recorded in 1765–75; revolution + -ary

Example Sentences

Lego says its new tech-enabled products, launching in March with a new Star Wars set, are its "most revolutionary innovation" in nearly 50 years.

From BBC

Rodríguez’s tone shift highlighted the balance that her shaky interim leadership is testing out as she tries to withstand U.S. pressure while keeping the country’s so-called revolutionary government from dissolving into factional infighting.

From The Wall Street Journal

He looks more like a Columbia grad student than the stereotypical bearded revolutionary.

From The Wall Street Journal

In subsequent years, Crick and others worked out the revolutionary implications of this idea, laying the basis for the entire field of modern genetics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Though the LP’s concept and song narratives now seem a bit silly and cartoonish, the music remains robust and revolutionary.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• contemporary
• innovative
• modern
• radical