variation

/ˈvɛriˌeɪʃən/

/vɛriˈeɪʃɪn/

Other forms: variations

Variation means a deviation from the norm, like the variation of colors in nature.

A variation from an accepted standard can be very important. For example, a variation in a heartbeat pattern can tell a doctor that a heart attack might be imminent. The variation in weather temperatures from what is expected indicates that our climate is changing due to global warming. But not all variation is a bad thing. For example, even within breeds, there is a wide variation in the coloration of dogs, a trait that makes each puppy uniquely lovable.

Definitions of variation

1. noun

   the process of varying or being varied
   types:

   covariation

   (statistics) correlated variation

   type of:

   physical process, process

   a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states
2. noun

   an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change
   synonyms: fluctuation

   types:

   vicissitude

   a variation in circumstances or fortune at different times in your life or in the development of something

   allomerism

   (chemistry) variability in chemical composition without variation in crystalline form

   departure, deviation, difference, divergence

   a variation that deviates from the standard or norm

   permutation, replacement, substitution, switch, transposition

   an event in which one thing is substituted for another

   business cycle, trade cycle

   recurring fluctuations in economic activity consisting of recession and recovery and growth and decline

   daily variation

   fluctuations that occur between one day and the next

   diurnal variation

   fluctuations that occur during each day

   tide

   something that may increase or decrease (like the tides of the sea)

   discrepancy, variance, variant

   an event that departs from expectations

   driftage

   the deviation (by a vessel or aircraft) from its intended course due to drifting

   flection, flexion, inflection

   deviation from a straight or normal course

   type of:

   alteration, change, modification

   an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
3. noun

   the act of changing or altering something slightly but noticeably from the norm or standard
   “who is responsible for these variations in taxation?”

   type of:

   change

   the action of changing something
4. noun

   an activity that varies from a norm or standard
   “any variation in his routine was immediately reported”

   synonyms: variance

   type of:

   activity

   any specific behavior
5. noun

   something a little different from others of the same type
   “an emery wheel is the modern variation of a grindstone”

   synonyms: edition, variant, version

   type of:

   type

   a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
6. noun

   an artifact that deviates from a norm or standard
   “he patented a variation on the sandal”

   types:

   bastard, mongrel

   derogatory term for a variation that is not genuine; something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin

   type of:

   thing

   an artifact
7. noun

   a repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished
   types:

   inversion

   (counterpoint) a variation of a melody or part in which ascending intervals are replaced by descending intervals and vice versa

   partita

   one of the variations contained in a partita

   type of:

   idea, melodic theme, musical theme, theme

   (music) melodic subject of a musical composition
8. noun

   (biology) an organism that has characteristics resulting from chromosomal alteration
   synonyms: mutant, mutation, sport

   types:

   freak, lusus naturae, monster, monstrosity

   a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed

   leviathan

   the largest or most massive thing of its kind

   type of:

   being, organism

   a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
9. noun

   (astronomy) any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite (especially a perturbation of the earth's moon)
   types:

   libration

   (astronomy) a real or apparent slow oscillation of a moon or satellite

   type of:

   perturbation

   (physics) a secondary influence on a system that causes it to deviate slightly
10. noun

    (ballet) a solo dance or dance figure
    synonyms: pas seul

    type of:

    dance, dancing, saltation, terpsichore

    taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
11. noun

    the angle (at a particular location) between magnetic north and true north
    synonyms: magnetic declination, magnetic variation

    type of:

    angle

    the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians