involution

noun in·vo·lu·tion \ ˌin-və-ˈlü-shən \

|Updated on: 21 Aug 2018

Examples: involution in a Sentence

Definition of involution

1 a (1) : the act or an instance of enfolding or entangling : involvement

(2) : an involved grammatical construction usually characterized by the insertion of clauses between the subject and predicate

b : complexity, intricacy

2 : exponentiation

3 a : an inward curvature or penetration

b : the formation of a gastrula by ingrowth of cells formed at the dorsal lip

4 : a shrinking or return to a former size

5 : the regressive alterations of a body or its parts characteristic of the aging process

skeletal involution due to loss of estrogens at menopause

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involutional

play \ˌin-və-ˈlü-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See involution defined for kids

Examples of involution in a Sentence

the involution of the thriller's plot made it hard to follow

Recent Examples of involution from the Web

Notice that this is an involution as = ∂. In addition, the only self-conjugate itinerary is a string of O’s.

— nicholas diaco, Scientific American, "Privacy and Counterfeit Coins," 20 Mar. 2018
The entire process is known as involution of the uterus.

— jennifer hansen, WIRED, "My Incredible Shrinking Uterus," 6 Oct. 2010

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

Origin and Etymology of involution

Latin involution-, involutio, from involvere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1611

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

involution Synonyms

Medical Dictionary

involution

noun in·vo·lu·tion \ ˌin-və-ˈlü-shən \

medical Definition of involution

1 a : an inward curvature or penetration

b : the formation of a gastrula by ingrowth of cells formed at the dorsal lip

2 : a shrinking or return to a former size

involution of the uterus after pregnancy

3 : the regressive alterations of a body or its parts characteristic of the aging process; specifically : decline marked by a decrease of bodily vigor and in women by menopause