evolution

noun

evo·lu·tion | \ ˌe-və-ˈlü-shən

, ˌē-və-\

Definition of evolution

1a : descent with modification from preexisting species : cumulative inherited change in a population of organisms through time leading to the appearance of new forms : the process by which new species or populations of living things develop from preexisting forms through successive generations Evolution is a process of continuous branching and diversification from common trunks. This pattern of irreversible separation gives life's history its basic directionality.— Stephen Jay Gould also : the scientific theory explaining the appearance of new species and varieties through the action of various biological mechanisms (such as natural selection, genetic mutation or drift, and hybridization) Since 1950, developments in molecular biology have had a growing influence on the theory of evolution. — Nature In Darwinian evolution, the basic mechanism is genetic mutation, followed by selection of the organisms most likely to survive. — Pamela Weintraub

b : the historical development of a biological group (such as a race or species) : phylogeny

2a : a process of change in a certain direction : unfolding

b : the action or an instance of forming and giving something off : emission

c(1) : a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state : growth

(2) : a process of gradual and relatively peaceful social, political, and economic advance

d : something evolved

3 : the process of working out or developing

4 : the extraction of a mathematical root

5 : a process in which the whole universe is a progression of interrelated phenomena

6 : one of a set of prescribed movements

Other Words from evolution Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about evolution

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Other Words from evolution

evolutionarily \ ˌe-və-ˈlü-shə-ˌner-ə-lē

, ˌē-və- \ adverb

evolutionary \ ˌe-və-ˈlü-shə-ˌner-ē

, ˌē-və- \ adjective

evolutionism \ ˌe-və-ˈlü-shə-ˌni-zəm

, ˌē-və- \ noun

evolutionist \ ˌe-və-ˈlü-sh(ə-)nist

, ˌē-və- \ noun or adjective

Examples of evolution in a Sentence

changes brought about by evolution an important step in the evolution of computers

Recent Examples on the Web

Fortunately, the 'Wayback Machine' allows us all to see that evolution. — Peter Dawson, Houston Chronicle, "'Wayback Machine' shows how Houston websites have evolved over 20 years," 2 July 2019 But the past month's events also represent an escalation and evolution of that movement. — James Griffiths, CNN, "The fight over Hong Kong's extradition law could reopen divisions," 1 July 2019 This probably stems from a natural evolution: the cast has aged (on screen and off), and the show needs to keep up. — Nathan Mattise, Ars Technica, "Stranger Things without Spoiler Things: It’s dark, different, and still delightful," 1 July 2019 In any case, hybridization can be important for a species' evolution, even if the offspring isn't as visually striking as the narluga. — Jason Bittel, Anchorage Daily News, "The ‘narluga’ is a strange hybrid. But it’s far from alone.," 28 June 2019 Amid this tentative evolution, Kabir Singh, telling the story of a man from his perspective with the female lead being absent for most of the second half, comes across as a movie of a time past. — Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz India, "Dear woke India, where were you before Kabir Singh?," 28 June 2019 That evolution includes the lifestyle program he co-founded with Reece, XPT, which stresses breath, movement and recovery. — Lisa Boone, latimes.com, "Laird Hamilton has no time for alpha males," 28 June 2019 But what drove this particular element of elephant evolution? — Paul Manger, Quartz Africa, "Elephants evolved larger brains partly thanks to climate change, say scientists," 28 June 2019 The same evolution took place with Amazon Web Services, the company’s cloud computing subsidiary. — James Vincent, The Verge, "I welcomed our new robot overlords at Amazon’s first AI conference," 27 June 2019

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

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More Definitions for evolution

evolution

noun

evo·lu·tion | \ ˌe-və-ˈlü-shən

, ˌē-və-\

Kids Definition of evolution

1 : the theory that the various kinds of existing animals and plants have come from kinds that existed in the past

2 : the process of development of an animal or a plant

evolution

noun

evo·lu·tion | \ ˌev-ə-ˈlü-shən also ˌē-və-\

Medical Definition of evolution

1 : a process of change in a certain direction tumor evolution and progression— I. J. Fidler et al.

2a : descent with modification from preexisting species : cumulative inherited change in a population of organisms through time leading to the appearance of new forms : the process by which new species or populations of living things develop from preexisting forms through successive generations also : the scientific theory explaining the appearance of new species and varieties through the action of various biological mechanisms (as natural selection, genetic mutation or drift, and hybridization) Since 1950, developments in molecular biology have had a growing influence on the theory of evolution. — Nature

b : the historical development of a biological group (as a race or species) : phylogeny

Other Words from evolution

evolutionarily \ -shə-ˌner-ə-lē

\ adverb

evolutionary \ -shə-ˌner-ē

\ adjective

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