devolution

play

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

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

Nystrom sees it as a slow but sure devolution of reverence for the old Confederacy.

— katherine sayre, NOLA.com, "'The incredible shrinking airline seat' under court-ordered scrutiny: report," 30 July 2017
This booster shot of federalism could become the greatest devolution of federal power to the states in the modern era.

— WSJ, "The ObamaCare Waiver Breakthrough," 29 June 2017
And against the too-often devolution into violence.

— richard rainey, NOLA.com, "Steve Scalise and a would-be assassin's bullet: an American polemic," 17 June 2017
Things like the core devolution of Medicaid to the states, that’s going to happen?

— WSJ, "A Republican Health-Care Win," 8 May 2017
With a closing flourish, Florida places most of his chips on one political move: devolution.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "Richard Florida, Famous for His Optimism About Cities, Is Now an Urban Pessimist," 7 May 2017
Yet the kind of devolution Florida has in mind would have been a tough sell even before profoundly anti-urban Republicans controlled the White House, both houses of Congress, most state legislatures and governorships, and the Supreme Court.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "Richard Florida, Famous for His Optimism About Cities, Is Now an Urban Pessimist," 7 May 2017
London bankers’ no good very bad bonus season The devolution of the United Kingdom into a backward, isolationist hinterland continues unabated, notwithstanding the potential nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

— bess levin, The Hive, "Janet Yellen Steals Ivanka Trump’s Thunder," 5 May 2017
London bankers’ no good very bad bonus season The devolution of the United Kingdom into a backward, isolationist hinterland continues unabated, notwithstanding the potential nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

— bess levin, The Hive, "Janet Yellen Steals Ivanka Trump’s Thunder," 5 May 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.