devolution
noun
de·vo·lu·tion
ˌde-və-ˈlü-shən 
also ˌdē-və-
1
: transference (as of rights, powers, property, or responsibility) to another
especially
: the surrender of powers to local authorities by a central government
2
: retrograde (see retrograde entry 1 sense 2) evolution : degeneration
Examples of devolution in a Sentence
the gradual devolution of the neighborhood from a thriving community of close-knit families to a drug-ridden slum
Recent Examples on the Web
The increasingly zero-sum battle for court appointments reflects this devolution in legislative politics.
—
Jonathan Schlefer, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2021
Latin America experienced such a devolution in the mid-twentieth century.
—Javier Corrales, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Policies designed to increase competitive pressures on public schools—vouchers to allow low-income families to send their children to private schools, the devolution of more latitude to state and local authorities, and the expansion of charter schools—are the right place to begin.
—Arthur C. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017
And as Abundance explores in detail, the devolution of systems to local control produces policies that can be locally popular but nationally disastrous.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolution
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Jonathan Schlefer, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2021
Latin America experienced such a devolution in the mid-twentieth century.
—Javier Corrales, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Policies designed to increase competitive pressures on public schools—vouchers to allow low-income families to send their children to private schools, the devolution of more latitude to state and local authorities, and the expansion of charter schools—are the right place to begin.
—Arthur C. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017
And as Abundance explores in detail, the devolution of systems to local control produces policies that can be locally popular but nationally disastrous.
—Kelsey Piper, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devolution
Cite this Entry
“Devolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devolution. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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devolution
noun
de·vo·lu·tion
ˌde-və-ˈlü-shən, ˌdē-
: the transfer (as of rights, powers, property, or responsibility) to another
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