permutation

noun

per·​mu·​ta·​tion ˌpər-myü-ˈtā-shən 

1

: often major or fundamental change (as in character or condition) based primarily on rearrangement of existent elements

the system has gone through several permutations

also : a form or variety resulting from such change

technology available in various permutations

2

a

: the act or process of changing the lineal order of an ordered set of objects

b

: an ordered arrangement of a set of objects

permutational

ˌpər-myü-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Did you know?

Permutation has not changed all that much since it was borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-French as permutacioun, meaning "exchange, transformation." Permutacioun traces back to the Latin verb permutare, meaning "to change thoroughly, exchange," and ultimately derives from the Latin mutare, "to change." Other descendants of mutare in English include commute, mutant, and mutual. Permutation also has a specific application in the field of mathematics relating to the ordering of a given set of objects. For example, permutations of items a, b, and c are abc, acb, bac, etc.

Examples of permutation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In that film, a man and woman go through every permutation that kind of relationship can have. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 May 2026

Following Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph on Wednesday evening, there is a final permutation to consider. —Mark Carey, New York Times, 24 May 2026

The same year Burnham introduced the term, Piper devised a schema of geometric permutations, Sixteen Permutations of a Planar Analysis of a Square (1968). —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026

The building and its history are inseparable, which hints at what the next permutation could be. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English permutacioun exchange, transformation, from Anglo-French, from Latin permutation-, permutatio, from permutare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing permutation

• even permutation
• odd permutation
• permutation group

Rhymes for permutation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

permutation

noun

per·​mu·​ta·​tion ˌpər-myu̇-ˈtā-shən 

: an ordered arrangement of a set of objects