SINCE 1828

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butterfly effect

noun

Definition of butterfly effect

: a property of chaotic systems (such as the atmosphere) by which small changes in initial conditions can lead to large-scale and unpredictable variation in the future state of the system

Recent Examples of butterfly effect from the Web

Out of the complexity of the global sand trade has emerged something of a butterfly effect, in which an economic decision in one place can wreak social and environmental havoc on the other side of the world.

— eoin o'carroll, The Christian Science Monitor, "It's a small world after all, say scientists warning of sand scarcity," 14 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'butterfly effect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of butterfly effect

1979

Learn More about butterfly effect

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about butterfly effect

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