1. An activity that varies from a norm or standard
   "any variation in his routine was immediately reported";
   - variance
    
2. An instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change
   "The stock market showed significant variation throughout the day";
   - fluctuation
    
3. The process of varying or being varied
   "Genetic variation is crucial for the evolution of species"
    
4. The act of changing or altering something slightly but noticeably from the norm or standard
   "who is responsible for these variations in taxation?"
    
5. Something a little different from others of the same type
   "an emery wheel is the modern variation of a grindstone";
   - version, variant, edition
    
6. An artifact that deviates from a norm or standard
   "he patented a variation on the sandal"
    
7. A repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished
   "Bach's Goldberg Variations showcase his mastery of the form"
    
8. The angle (at a particular location) between magnetic north and true north
   "Hikers must adjust for magnetic variation when using a compass with topographic maps";
   - magnetic declination, magnetic variation
    
9. (astronomy) any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite (especially a perturbation of the earth's moon)
   "Astronomers calculated the variations in the moon's orbit"
    
10. (biology) organism showing genetic or spontaneous deviation from typical form
    "The scientist studied the mutant fruit fly to understand genetic variations";
    - mutant, mutation, sport
     
11. (ballet) a solo dance or dance figure
    "The prima ballerina's variation was the most anticipated part of the performance";
    - pas seul

Derived forms: variations

Type of: activity, alteration, angle, being, change, dance, dancing, idea, melodic theme, modification, musical theme, organism, perturbation, physical process, process, saltation [archaic], terpsichore, theme, thing, type

Encyclopedia: Variation