- [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
- The shooting and killing of thirty people started a revolution.
- The country appears to be on the brink of revolution.
Collocations PoliticsPoliticsPowersee also counter-revolution, revolt- 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
- spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate
- engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over something)
- 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 something)
- come under fire/pressure from opposition parties
- 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 something 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 North American English) passed by parliament/congress
- 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
Extra ExamplesTopics Historyb2, Politicsb2- Some Marxists still believe that socialism will one day triumph through world revolution.
- The activists were charged with fomenting revolution.
- 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.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- successful
- bloody
- violent
- …
- carry out
- fight
- foment
- …
- break out
- spread
- overthrow something
- …
- revolution against
- the outbreak of the revolution
- revolution from above
- revolution from below
- …
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- [countable] a great change in conditions, ways of working, beliefs, etc. that affects large numbers of people
- a cultural/social/scientific, etc. revolution
- the sexual revolution of the 1960s
- the digital/technological revolution
- They led the electronics revolution but have been left behind by the IT revolution.
- revolution in something A revolution in information technology is taking place.
Extra Examples- 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.
- Marketing has undergone a revolution in recent years.
- The coming of television brought about a revolution in people's leisure activities.
- The computer revolution has transformed the workplace.
- 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.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- quiet
- complete
- virtual
- …
- achieve
- begin
- bring
- …
- occur
- take place
- go on
- …
- revolution in
- [countable, uncountable] a complete circular movement around a point
- The disk rotates at up to 500 revolutions per minute.
- revolution around something The revolution of the earth around the sun takes one year.
Extra Examples- Jupiter makes a complete revolution around the sun every 12 years.
- The earth turns through one complete revolution approximately every twenty-four hours.
- One full revolution of the knob will open the hatch.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- full
- complete
- make
- through a revolution
- revolution about
- revolution around
- …
- revolutions a minute
- revolutions per minute
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin revolutio(n-), from revolvere ‘roll back’, from re- ‘back’ (also expressing intensive force) + volvere ‘roll’.
Check pronunciation:
revolution