n.1 a the forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system. b (in Marxism) the replacement of one ruling class by another; the class struggle which is expected to lead to political change and the triumph of communism.
2 any fundamental change or reversal of conditions.
3 the act or an instance of revolving.
4 a motion in orbit or a circular course or round an axis or centre; rotation. b the single completion of an orbit or rotation. c the time taken for this.
5 a cyclic recurrence.
Phrases and idioms:
revolution counter a device for indicating the number or rate of revolutions of an engine etc.
Derivatives:
revolutionism n. revolutionist n.
Etymology: ME f. OF revolution or LL revolutio (as REVOLVE)