How to Pronounce Exaptation

To pronounce "exaptation", say EX-apt-at-ion — 4 syllables. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

exaptation

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4

Syllables

10

Letters

EX-apt-at-ion

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💡 Tip for remembering “exaptation”

"exaptation" has 4 syllables: ex-apt-at-ion.

What does exaptation mean?

noun

  1. The use of a biological structure or function for a purpose other than that for which it initially evolved.

    “Birds initially developed wings and feathers as a means of heat regulation. The use of wings for flight is an example of exaptation.”

  2. (by extension) The promotion of meaningless or redundant material so that it does new grammatical (morphosyntactic or phonological) or semantic work.

Related words

preadaptationhyperadaptationcounteradaptationadaptationauxesisadaptationismplanationadaptomics

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "exaptation"?▾

"Exaptation" has 4 syllables: ex · apt · at · ion.

What does "exaptation" mean?▾

Exaptation: The use of a biological structure or function for a purpose other than that for which it initially evolved.

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