revolution

revolution

revo·lu·tion AW [revolution revolutions]   [ˌrevəˈluːʃn]    [ˌrevəˈluːʃn]  noun
1. countable, uncountable an attempt, by a large number of people, to change the government of a country, especially by violent action
• a socialist revolution
• the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789
• to start a revolution
• a country on the brink of revolution

see also  counter-revolution, revolt

2. countable a great change in conditions, ways of working, beliefs, etc. that affects large numbers of people
• a cultural/social/scientific, etc. revolution
• ~ in sth A revolution in information technology is taking place.

see also  Industrial Revolution

3. countable, uncountable ~ (around/on sth) a complete circular movement around a point, especially of one planet around another
• the revolution of the earth around the sun

see also  revolve

4. (also informal rev) countable a circular movement made by sth fixed to a central point, for example in a car engine
• rotating at 300 revolutions per minute
See also: rev  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin revolutio(n-), from revolvere ‘roll back’, from re- ‘back’ (also expressing intensive force) + volvere ‘roll’.  
Thesaurus:
revolution noun
1. C, U
• The shooting of 30 people started a revolution.
coup • • uprising • • revolt • • rebellion • • mutiny • |formal insurgency •
a/an revolution/coup/uprising/revolt/rebellion against sb/sth
(a) violent revolution/uprising/rebellion
stage/lead a/an revolution/coup/revolt/rebellion/mutiny
2. C
• A technological revolution is taking place.
reversal • • turnaround • • a change of heart • |written sea change • |informal, especially journalism U-turn •
a revolution/reversal/turnaround/sea change /U-turn in sth
undergo a revolution/change of heart/sea change
represent a revolution/reversal/turnaround/change of heart
bring about a revolution/reversal/change of heart 
Collocations:
Politics
Power
create/form/be the leader of a political party
gain/take/win/lose/regain control of Congress
start/spark/lead/be on the brink of a revolution
be engaged/locked in an internal power struggle
lead/form a rival/breakaway faction
seize/take control of the government/power
bring down/overthrow/topple the government/president/regime
abolish/overthrow/restore the monarchy
establish/install a military dictatorship/a stable government
be forced/removed/driven from office/power
resign/step down as party leader/an MP/president/prime minister
enter/retire from/return to political life
Political debate
spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate
engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over sth)
get involved in/feel excluded from the political process
launch/start/lead/spearhead a campaign/movement
join/be linked with the peace/anti-war/feminist/civil rights movement
criticize/speak out against/challenge/support the government
lobby/put pressure on the government (to do sth)
come under fire/pressure from opposition parties
Policy
call for/demand/propose/push for/advocate democratic/political/land reform(s)
formulate/implement domestic economic policy
change/influence/shape/have an impact on government/economic/public policy
be consistent with/be in line with/go against/be opposed to government policy
reform/restructure/modernize the tax system
privatize/improve/deliver/make cuts in public services
invest (heavily) in/spend sth on schools/education/public services/(the) infrastructure
nationalize the banks/the oil industry
promise/propose/deliver/give ($80 billion in/significant/substantial/massive) tax cuts
a/the budget is approved/ (especially NAmE) passed by parliament/congress
Making laws
have a majority in/have seats in Parliament/Congress/the Senate
propose/sponsor a bill/legislation/a resolution
introduce/bring in/draw up/draft/adopt/pass a bill/a law/legislation/measures
amend/repeal an act/a law/legislation
veto/vote against/oppose a bill/legislation/a measure/a proposal/a resolution
get/require/be decided by a majority vote
more collocations at economy, voting  
Example Bank:
• As the 18th century wore on, an agricultural revolution took place.
• Doctors have welcomed the fitness revolution.
• He achieved a virtual revolution in the way music is recorded.
• How long does it take for the planet Jupiter to make a complete revolution around the sun?
• Jupiter makes a complete revolution around the sun every 12 years.
• Marketing has undergone a revolution in recent years.
• One full revolution of the knob will open the hatch.
• Some Marxists still believe that socialism will one day triumph through world revolution.
• The activists were charged with fomenting revolution.
• The coming of television brought about a revolution in people's leisure activities.
• The computer revolution has transformed the workplace.
• The earth turns through one complete revolution approximately every twenty-four hours.
• The last decade has seen a revolution in telecommunications.
• There has been a quiet revolution in the way writing is taught.
• There has been a revolution going on in farming during the last five years.
• Thousands of people were killed in the bloody revolution that toppled the government.
• a revolution against communist rule
• the failed 1911 revolution
• the revolution which overthrew the old regime
• The French Revolution brought about great changes in the society and government of France.
• The country appears to be on the brink of revolution.
• The disk rotates at up to 500 revolutions per minute.
• The revolution of the earth around the sun takes one year.
• The shooting and killing of thirty people started a revolution.

• a cultural/social/scientific revolution