adaptive
adjective
adap·tive
ə-ˈdap-tiv 
a-
1
: providing, contributing to, or marked by adaptation : arising as a result of adaptation
… left ventricular hypertrophy should not be considered solely an adaptive response to an increased ventricular workload.—
Edward D. Frohlich et al.
Edward D. Frohlich et al.An effort to identify the healthy adaptive need that is being met by a patient's behavior can result in increased empathy for the patient.—Thomas O. Brackett
Thomas O. Brackett
specifically
: of, relating to, or being a heritable trait that serves a specific function and improves an organism's fitness or survival
Webbed feet is an adaptive trait in aquatic animals.
2
a
: designed or intended to assist disabled persons : assistive
adaptive devices
b
: engaged in by disabled persons with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for a disability
adaptive skiing
c
: participating in a sport with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for disability
an adaptive skier
Examples of adaptive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An adaptive economy To manage the tsunami of new money into Russia’s military machine, Mr. Putin recently replaced his longtime loyal defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, with an economist, Andrei Belousov.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2024
Flat Iron Hotel The adaptive reuse architecture celebrates the glory of the Art Deco period with modern amenities and incorporates homages to Asheville’s artistic legacy.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2024
She is credited with discovering adaptive modulation techniques, which allow network designers to align the speed at which data is sent with the speed a wireless channel can support while network conditions and channel quality fluctuate.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 May 2024
Along with introducing a new controller, Microsoft is also updating its $99.99 Xbox Adaptive Controller, which was released in 2018 to help players build adaptive gaming setups.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for adaptive 
Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2024
Flat Iron Hotel The adaptive reuse architecture celebrates the glory of the Art Deco period with modern amenities and incorporates homages to Asheville’s artistic legacy.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2024
She is credited with discovering adaptive modulation techniques, which allow network designers to align the speed at which data is sent with the speed a wireless channel can support while network conditions and channel quality fluctuate.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 May 2024
Along with introducing a new controller, Microsoft is also updating its $99.99 Xbox Adaptive Controller, which was released in 2018 to help players build adaptive gaming setups.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for adaptive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adaptive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near adaptive
Cite this Entry
“Adaptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adaptive. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
adaptive
adjective
adap·tive
ə-ˈdap-tiv
1
: capable of, suited to, or contributing to adaptation
… adaptive traits that enhance survival and diversification of species …—Science News
Science News2
a
: used to assist a person with a disability in performing a certain task or activity : assistive
Adaptive equipment might include Braille keyboards, voice synthesizers and adjustable-height computer tables.—Stuart Gordon, The Modesto (California) Bee
Stuart Gordon, The Modesto (California) Bee
b
: engaged in by disabled persons with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for a disability
It is called wheelchair basketball, an adaptive sport for disabled people …—James Nix, The Independent Tribune (Concord, North Carolina)
James Nix, The Independent Tribune (Concord, North Carolina)
c
: participating in a sport with the aid of equipment or techniques adapted for a disability
Ever seen those inspirational adaptive skiers cranking down the mountain in their ski chairs, or with a blind skier guide?—Moira McCarthy, The Boston Herald
Moira McCarthy, The Boston Herald
adaptively
adverb
adaptiveness
noun
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