Definition of: revolution

(rev′ə·l′shən) noun
1. The act or state of revolving.
2. A motion in a closed curve around a center, or a complete or apparent circuit made by a body in such a course: used generally in this sense in distinction from rotation.
3. Rotation about an axis; especially, a complete rotation so that every part of the moving body returns to the position from which it started.
4. Mech. Any winding or turning about an axis, as in a spiral or other bend, so as to come to a point corresponding to the starting point.
5. A group, round, or cycle of successive events or changes; a cycle; also, the period of space or time occupied by a cycle or by the accomplishment of a circuit.
6. The overthrow and replacement of a government or political system by those governed.
7. An extensive or drastic change in a condition, method, idea, etc.: a revolution in industry. [<OF revolucion <LL revolutio, -onis <L revolutus, pp. of revolvere. See REVOLVE.] Synonyms: anarchy, confusion, disintegration, disorder, insubordination, insurrection, lawlessness, mutiny, rebellion, revolt, riot, sedition, tumult. The essential idea of revolution, in definition 6, is a change in the form of government or constitution, or a change of rulers, otherwise than as provided by existing laws of succession, election, etc.; while such change is apt to involve armed hostilities, these make no necessary part of a revolution, which may be accomplished without a battle. Anarchy refers to the condition of a state when government is superseded or destroyed by factions. A revolt is an uprising against existing authority without the comprehensive views of change in the form or administration of government that are involved in revolution. See CHANGE. Compare ANARCHY, REBELLION, REVOLT. Antonyms: authority, command, control, domination, dominion, empire, government, law, loyalty, obedience, order, rule, sovereignty, submission, supremacy.
—American Revolution
The war for independence carried on by the thirteen American colonies against Great Britain, 1775–83. Also Revolutionary War. See table under WAR.
—Chinese Revolution
The events in China during the years 1911–12, inspired by Sun Yat-sen, which overthrew the authority of the Dowager Empress and the Manchu Empire, and resulted in the establishment of a republic.
—English Revolution
The course of events in England in 1642–89 that brought about the execution of Charles I, the rise of the Commonwealth, the dethronement of James II, and the establishment of a constitutional government under William III and Mary: called in England The Revolution, sometimes with reference to the events of 1688.
—French Revolution
The revolution which began in 1789, overthrew the French monarchy, and culminated in the Empire of Napoleon I.
—Russian Revolution
The conflict (1917–22), beginning in a Petrograd uprising on March 12, 1917, that resulted in a provisional moderate government and the abdication of Nicholas II. On November 6 (October 24, Old Style), the Bolsheviks under Lenin overthrew this government (the October Revolution), and after resisting counter-revolution and libertarian revolution until December, 1922, united the soviet states in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics under Communist (Bolshevik) control.