1. The quality or condition of being various or varied; diversity.
2. A number or collection of varied things, especially of a particular group; an assortment: brought home a variety of snacks.
3. A group that is distinguished from other groups by a specific characteristic or set of characteristics.
4. Biology.
   1. A taxonomic subdivision of a species consisting of naturally occurring or selectively bred populations or individuals that differ from the remainder of the species in certain minor characteristics.
   2. An organism, especially a plant, belonging to such a subdivision.
5. A variety show.

[French variété, from Old French, from Latin varietās, varietāt-, from varius, various.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.