variation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change
    fluctuation.
  2. noun an activity that varies from a norm or standard
    variance.
    • any variation in his routine was immediately reported
  3. noun a repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished
  4. noun something a little different from others of the same type
    edition; version; variant.
    • an experimental version of the night fighter
    • a variant of the same word
    • an emery wheel is the modern variation of a grindstone
    • the boy is a younger edition of his father
  5. noun an artifact that deviates from a norm or standard
    • he patented a variation on the sandal
  6. noun the angle (at a particular location) between magnetic north and true north
    magnetic variation; magnetic declination.
  7. noun the process of varying or being varied
  8. noun (astronomy) any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite (especially a perturbation of the earth's moon)
  9. noun (biology) an organism that has characteristics resulting from chromosomal alteration
    mutant; sport; mutation.
  10. noun (ballet) a solo dance or dance figure
    pas seul.
  11. noun the act of changing or altering something slightly but noticeably from the norm or standard
    • who is responsible for these variations in taxation?

WordNet

Va`ri*a"tion noun
Etymology
OE. variatioun, F. variation, L. variatio. See Vary.
Definitions
  1. The act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing; modification; alternation; mutation; diversity; deviation; as, a variation of color in different lights; a variation in size; variation of language.
    The essences of things are conceived not capable of any such variation. Locke.
  2. Extent to which a thing varies; amount of departure from a position or state; amount or rate of change.
  3. (Gram.) Change of termination of words, as in declension, conjugation, derivation, etc.
  4. (Mus.) Repetition of a theme or melody with fanciful embellishments or modifications, in time, tune, or harmony, or sometimes change of key; the presentation of a musical thought in new and varied aspects, yet so that the essential features of the original shall still preserve their identity.
  5. (Alg.) One of the different arrangements which can be made of any number of quantities taking a certain number of them together. Syn. -- Change; vicissitude; variety; deviation.

Webster 1913