Definition of evolution
1 : one of a set of prescribed movements
2a : a process of change in a certain direction : unfoldingb : the action or an instance of forming and giving something off : emissionc (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 advanced : something evolved
3 : the process of working out or developing
4a : 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 Weintraubb : the historical development of a biological group (such as a race or species) : phylogeny
5 : the extraction of a mathematical root
6 : a process in which the whole universe is a progression of interrelated phenomena
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Examples of evolution in a Sentence
changes brought about by evolution
an important step in the evolution of computers
Recent Examples of evolution from the Web
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Mr Suzman deftly weaves his experiences and observations with lessons on human evolution, the history of human migration and the fate of African communities since the arrival of Europeans.
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A Tennessee school teacher, John Scopes, was tried and convicted of teaching evolution.
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But for now, the evolution is exciting and exasperating, all at once.
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The evolution of the Zelda franchise over the last 30 years is perhaps inimitable.
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From Yves Saint Laurent popularizing the trouser for women with his Le Smoking to Keith Richards upending menswear norms by pilfering from girlfriend Anita Pallenberg's closet, fashion during the end of the '60s was more revolution than evolution.
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Six years ago, the owner of Evolution decided to sell the business, so the Espositos — who’ve owned Performance Solar for 20 years — bought it.
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But the evolution of the briefing into a bit of a TV show obscures the larger reality here: This White House simply accelerates the unmistakable recent trend of administrations of both parties much preferring to operate in the dark.
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Asian Film Festival of Dallas (July 13-20): South Korea has emerged as one of the most creative film scenes on the planet, and anyone who has attended this festival over the years has seen that evolution and growth.
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.
Origin and Etymology of evolution
Latin evolution-, evolutio unrolling, from evolvere
EVOLUTION Defined for Kids
evolution
playDefinition of evolution for Students
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
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of evolution
1: a process of change in a certain direction tumor evolution and progression—I. J. Fidler et al
2a: the historical development of a biological group (as a race or species) : phylogenyb: a theory that the various types of animals and plants have their origin in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable differences are due to modifications in successive generations
Learn More about evolution
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for evolution Spanish Central: Translation of evolution Nglish: Translation of evolution for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of evolution for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about evolution
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