devolution

noun de·vo·lu·tion \ ˌde-və-ˈlü-shən also ˌdē-və- \

Updated on: 28 Mar 2018

Definition of devolution

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 ¹retrograde 2) evolution : degeneration

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devolutionary

play \-shə-ˌner-ē\ adjective

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devolutionist

play \-sh(ə-)nist\ noun

See devolution defined for English-language learners

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 of devolution from the Web

In describing their company's devolution today, the brothers accentuate the positive.

— morgan watkins, The Courier-Journal, "Bevin 'unbelievably confident' in state-funded Braidy Industries CEO with mixed record," 18 Mar. 2018
Tabula Rasa is frustrated with tropes, much like Mie is exasperated by her own devolution.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "Is Tabula Rasa The New The OA?," 15 Mar. 2018
The Treasury hijacked devolution as a way of devolving responsibility for making cuts, while keeping the power to make policy.

— The Economist, "Britain needs to work harder at making a success of devolution," 22 Feb. 2018
Today few people believe that the end of devolution could result in a return to previous levels of violence.

— The Economist, "A little more conversationNorthern Ireland notches up a year without a government," 23 Jan. 2018
One of the most important ideas of the book is that the devolution of power and the rapid changes in economic relationships, technology, and demography are forcing most of our institutions to change.

— sandra shea, Philly.com, "How cities are leading the way to solving problems | Q&A," 19 Jan. 2018
Set in a towering Northern California redwood forest, Woodshock features Dunst as Theresa, an antiheroine who succumbs to mourning and mounting rage, aided in her devolution by a potent cannabinoid drug.

— lesley m. m. blume, WSJ, "The Rodarte Designers on Their Debut Feature Film," 4 Aug. 2017
Vonnegut used his early short fiction to test the themes that animated his later novels: the cruel stupidity of war, the dehumanizing dangers of technology; the devolution of American values into greed and selfishness.

— New York Times, "10 New Books We Recommend This Week," 19 Oct. 2017
Well, here’s a grassroots movement, based by definition in red states, that brings together politicians from small towns and big cities not around a particular contentious issue like guns, but around a political principle of devolution.

— henry grabar, Slate Magazine, "Cities Need a National Movement Against Conservative Meddling," 10 Jan. 2017

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