revolution
gb/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃən/ us/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃən/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
event
1
Overthrow of government
When people fight to remove the government and start a new one.
Usage pattern:
[someone] starts a revolution
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'revolution' with 'revolt' or 'protest'; 'revolution' typically refers to a large-scale, systemic change, often involving complete government overthrow.
Synonyms
uprising (Usually smaller in scale and may not involve complete governmental change.)
|
rebellion (Focuses on resistance rather than complete systemic change.)
Antonyms
reform (Change within an existing system rather than replacing it.)
Collocations
lead a revolution
|spark a revolution
|violent revolution
|political revolution
|revolution leader
Themes
politics
|history
|conflict
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The revolution in the country ended decades of dictatorship.
- Many young people joined the revolution to fight for democracy.
- The French Revolution changed the course of European history.
- The revolution was sparked by years of economic hardship.
- Some feared the revolution would lead to chaos.
Learner examples
- The people started a revolution against the king.
- The revolution made the country free.
- They joined the revolution to change the rules.
- A revolution can be dangerous.
- The city was quiet after the revolution.
Noun
B2
action
2
Complete circular movement
When something goes all the way around another thing or point.
Usage pattern:
[something] makes a revolution around [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'revolution' with 'rotation'; in astronomy, 'rotation' is spinning on an axis, while 'revolution' is moving around another object.
Synonyms
rotation (Rotation can mean spinning on its axis as well as orbiting; 'revolution' in astronomy usually means orbiting around another body.)
Antonyms
stillness (Lack of movement or orbit.)
Collocations
Earth's revolution
|revolution around the sun
|one full revolution
|circular revolution
Themes
science
|astronomy
|physics
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The Earth's revolution around the Sun takes one year.
- Each revolution of the wheel moves the cart forward.
- The planet's revolution is slightly elliptical.
- The machine completes one revolution every second.
- Revolution speed affects the device's performance.
Learner examples
- The Earth makes one revolution around the Sun each year.
- The wheel made one full revolution.
- A revolution is a full circle movement.
- The moon's revolution takes about 27 days.
- The fan blade makes many revolutions per minute.
Noun
B2
event
3
Major rapid change
A big and fast change in how things are done or thought about.
Usage pattern:
[something] causes a revolution in [field]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'revolution' for small changes; it should be reserved for large-scale, rapid changes.
Synonyms
transformation (Can be gradual; 'revolution' suggests speed and scale.)
|
upheaval (Implies disruption and disorder as part of the change.)
Antonyms
stagnation (Lack of significant change or progress.)
Collocations
technological revolution
|industrial revolution
|digital revolution
|cultural revolution
Themes
technology
|culture
|society
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The internet sparked a revolution in communication.
- The Industrial Revolution transformed manufacturing processes.
- Smartphones brought about a revolution in how we live and work.
- There has been a green energy revolution in recent years.
- Artificial intelligence could lead to another major revolution.
Learner examples
- The car started a transport revolution.
- The internet made a big communication revolution.
- The factory changed in the industrial revolution.
- We live in a digital revolution now.
- Solar power is part of an energy revolution.
Grammar
Dictionary form
revolution
IPA
GB/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃən/
US/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃən/
Syllables & stress
re - volu - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tion)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: revolution
- Plural: revolution, revolutions
Word family
Forms
revolutions
noun
Core family
revolutionary
adjective B2
revolutionize
verb C1
Negative and opposite forms
counterrevolution
noun
counterrevolutionary
adjective
Expressions
cultural revolution
1/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚəl ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
Major change in culture and values
When many things about how people live, think, and act change quickly in a society.
Examples
- The 1960s saw a cultural revolution in music and fashion.
- Social media has led to a cultural revolution among young people.
digital revolution
1/dˈɪd͡ʒɪtəl ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
Shift to digital technology era
The big change from using paper and old machines to using computers and digital technology for everything.
Examples
- The digital revolution has transformed how we communicate.
- Online shopping is part of the digital revolution.
spark a revolution
1/spˈɑɹk ə ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
Cause a major change to begin
To make something happen that starts a big political or social change.
Examples
- His speech helped spark a revolution in public opinion.
- High food prices sparked a revolution in the capital.
industrial revolution
1/ɪndˈʌstɹiəl ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
Period of major industrialization
A time in history when machines and factories became common, starting in the 1700s.
Examples
- The Industrial Revolution began in Britain and changed the world economy.
- The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the 18th century.
- Many people moved to cities during the Industrial Revolution.
- Steam power was central to the Industrial Revolution.