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
Brains guiding machines To make the system practical, the researchers built an adaptive decoding model that learns general brain patterns and then adjusts to individual users.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
The Vermont Mountain Bike Association, which supports 28 local chapters statewide, has spent years working alongside Vermont Adaptive and the Kelly Brush Foundation to understand how its existing trail systems could better serve adaptive riders.
—Tim Neville, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Ross has co-founded a group called East Sacramento Neighbors for Smart Growth to advocate for adaptive reuse and preservation of the building.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026
With its adaptive dampers and massive brakes, the M5 moves swiftly and with confidence.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adaptive
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
The Vermont Mountain Bike Association, which supports 28 local chapters statewide, has spent years working alongside Vermont Adaptive and the Kelly Brush Foundation to understand how its existing trail systems could better serve adaptive riders.
—Tim Neville, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Ross has co-founded a group called East Sacramento Neighbors for Smart Growth to advocate for adaptive reuse and preservation of the building.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026
With its adaptive dampers and massive brakes, the M5 moves swiftly and with confidence.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adaptive
Cite this Entry
“Adaptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adaptive. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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
… adaptive skiers cranking down the mountain in their ski chairs …—Moira McCarthy, The Boston Herald
Moira McCarthy, The Boston Herald
adaptively
adverb
adaptiveness
noun
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