natural selection

noun

: a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment

Examples of natural selection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The result would turn up more than 20 years later as On the Origin of Species, Darwin’s seminal work explaining the theory of evolution through natural selection. — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 14, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Sep. 2026

In terms of natural selection mechanisms to overcome, rack up another couple of wins for urban geese. — Mark Vrtiska, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

The wines themselves are carefully chosen – organic, biodynamic and natural selections that reflect not only quality but integrity. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Alfred Russel Wallace independently formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection in 1858, a year before Darwin’s On the Origin of Species was published in 1859. — Michael Muthukrishna, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for natural selection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Kids Definition

natural selection

noun

: a natural process in which individuals or groups best adapted to the conditions under which they live survive and produce young and poorly adapted forms are eliminated

Medical Definition

natural selection

noun

: a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment