/ rɪˈvɜːsl; NAmE rɪˈvɜːrsl/ noun
1.
[ C , U ] reversal (of sth) a change of sth so that it is the opposite of what it was :
a complete / dramatic / sudden reversal of policy
the reversal of a decision
The government suffered a total reversal of fortune(s) last week.
2.
[ C ] a change from being successful to having problems or being defeated :
the team's recent reversal
The company's financial problems were only a temporary reversal.
3.
[ C , U ] an exchange of positions or functions between two or more people :
It's a complete role reversal / reversal of roles (= for example when a husband cares for the house and children while the wife works) .
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WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent. (as a legal term): from reverse + -al .