/ ˌveəriˈeɪʃn; NAmE ˌver-/ noun
1.
[ C , U ] variation (in / of sth) a change, especially in the amount or level of sth :
The dial records very slight variations in pressure.
Currency exchange rates are always subject to variation.
regional / seasonal variation (= depending on the region or time of year)
2.
[ C ] variation (on sth) a thing that is different from other things in the same general group :
This soup is a spicy variation on a traditional favourite.
3.
[ C ] variation (on sth) ( music ) any of a set of short pieces of music based on a simple tune repeated in a different and more complicated form :
a set of variations on a theme by Mozart
( figurative )
His numerous complaints are all variations on a theme (= all about the same thing) .
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting variance or conflict): from Old French , or from Latin variatio(n-) , from the verb variare , from varius diverse.