permutation

noun per·mu·ta·tion \ ˌpər-myü-ˈtā-shən \

Definition of permutation

1 :often major or fundamental change (as in character or condition) based primarily on rearrangement of existent elements

the system has gone through several permutations

; also :a form or variety resulting from such change

technology available in various permutations

2 a :the act or process of changing the lineal order of an ordered set of objects

b :an ordered arrangement of a set of objects

—

permutational

play \ˌpər-myü-ˈtā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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permutation was our Word of the Day on 08/31/2014. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of permutation from the Web

The few remaining humans seem to be living in military units, and one by one they are being struck down by a new permutation of the virus that leaves them unable to speak.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "War for the Planet of the Apes," 14 July 2017
In the multi-wear game, the Sounds of Nature necklace wins for most permutations: It can be worn 10 different ways.

— Vogue, "Dior, De Beers, and Repossi, Oh My! A Virtual Tour Through the Fall 2017 High Jewelry Collections," 7 July 2017
Even the band's best known (and best selling) '70s line-up eventually gave way, through acrimony and attrition, to endless permutations of the group's by-then familiar five members.

— joshua klein, chicagotribune.com, "Review: Buckingham, McVie stay close to Fleetwood Mac at Northerly Island," 4 July 2017
Since its release, Late Shift has riffed on virtually every permutation of the interactive movie over the years.

— scott meslow, GQ, "Are Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Movies Finally About to Become a Thing?," 21 June 2017
This engaging history stretches from cave painting through the Bass Ale triangle (often credited as the first commercial logo) to the latest permutations in Uber's symbol.

— nicholas varchaver, Fortune, "CEO Daily: The Best in Business Reading," 18 June 2017
The Californian photojournalist Lauren Greenfield, who captured this scene, has been documenting the American dream in its all permutations for the last 25 years or so.

— nick glass, CNN, "More is more: Making sense of America's wealth obsession," 12 June 2017
And day one’s (June 10) illuminating slate of legendary performers and fresh faces didn’t disappoint the packed house inside the Hollywood Bowl as everyone celebrated jazz in its many colorful permutations.

— gail mitchell, Billboard, "Corinne Bailey Rae, Jacob Collier, Al Jarreau Tribute Among Playboy Jazz Festival Highlights," 11 June 2017
There are few who can appreciate the math of super teams as much as LeBron James, having been a factor in just about every possible permutation.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Winderman: Is there a super formula for super teams? (Yes, four, actually)| Commentary," 10 June 2017

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

Did You Know?

Permutation has not changed all that much since it was borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-French in the 14th century as permutacioun, meaning "exchange, transformation." Permutacioun traces back to the Latin verb permutare, meaning "to change thoroughly, exchange," and ultimately derives from the Latin mutare, to change. Other descendants of mutare in English include commute, mutant, and mutual. Permutation also has a specific application in the field of mathematics relating to the ordering of a given set of objects. For example, permutations of items a, b, and c are abc, acb, bac, etc.

Origin and Etymology of permutation

Middle English permutacioun exchange, transformation, from Anglo-French, from Latin permutation-, permutatio, from permutare

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First Known Use: 14th century

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PERMUTATION Defined for English Language Learners

permutation

noun

Definition of permutation for English Language Learners

: one of the many different ways or forms in which something exists or can be arranged

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permutation

Definition of permutation

permutational

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permutation

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permutational

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