artificial selection
noun
: selective breeding
Even artificial selection is slow: it takes decades and acres of space to develop just one new cultivar.—
Jack Fincher
Jack FincherExamples of artificial selection in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When humans purposely select for or against certain features in other organisms like this, it's known as artificial selection.
—Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
In this regard, humans are no different from the pigs, cattle, and wheat that our farmers subject to artificial selection.
—Christopher Wills, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Furthermore, embryo selection in humans can resemble artificial selection, giving us the ability to steer the appearance of human traits in future populations.
—Shawn Walsh, Quanta Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023
But as effective as it’s been, artificial selection is still fairly limited.
—Shawn Walsh, Quanta Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023
But this is one area where dogs definitely eclipse cats; artificial selection on their wolf ancestor has, of course, produced a dizzying array of sizes, shapes and behaviors.
—Jerry A. Coyne, Washington Post, 3 May 2023
At the same time, Egyptian paintings show cats of diverse colors and patterns far removed from the familiar tabby — the products of artificial selection by breeders craving novelty.
—Jerry A. Coyne, Washington Post, 3 May 2023
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Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
In this regard, humans are no different from the pigs, cattle, and wheat that our farmers subject to artificial selection.
—Christopher Wills, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Furthermore, embryo selection in humans can resemble artificial selection, giving us the ability to steer the appearance of human traits in future populations.
—Shawn Walsh, Quanta Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023
But as effective as it’s been, artificial selection is still fairly limited.
—Shawn Walsh, Quanta Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023
But this is one area where dogs definitely eclipse cats; artificial selection on their wolf ancestor has, of course, produced a dizzying array of sizes, shapes and behaviors.
—Jerry A. Coyne, Washington Post, 3 May 2023
At the same time, Egyptian paintings show cats of diverse colors and patterns far removed from the familiar tabby — the products of artificial selection by breeders craving novelty.
—Jerry A. Coyne, Washington Post, 3 May 2023
Cite this Entry
“Artificial selection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/artificial%20selection. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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