permutation

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

Updated on: 25 May 2018

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

There are zillions of permutations, and one especially notable riff came courtesy of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

— jessica leigh hester, WIRED, "What Ecologists Can Learn From Memes," 7 May 2018
Trillions of possible permutations of exquisite geometry.

— liz braatz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Make winter fun with snowy science experiments and Discovery World's snow day event," 8 Dec. 2017
The artists who will perform at the Kennedy Center represent many permutations of being Cuban.

— mimi whitefield, miamiherald, "Politics collide with art as Kennedy Center prepares for Cuban culture festival," 4 May 2018
There are enough permutations to make one’s head spin.

— rich campbell, chicagotribune.com, "Bears Big Board: Analyzing 6 potential draft candidates for the No. 8 pick," 25 Apr. 2018
The final scene, set in the Los Angeles offices of a television production company, looks at the permutations and exploitation-worthy shelf life of a tragedy.

— christine dolen, miamiherald, "'Gloria' not so glorious look at a media office space | Miami Herald," 10 Apr. 2018
Mary Zimmerman’s 2007 production of Donizetti’s tragedy returns, in the first of several permutations of the cast.

— david allen, New York Times, "8 Classical Music Concerts to See in NYC This Weekend," 15 Mar. 2018
The Miami Heat's playoff permutations come down to three games, three possible seeds and three possible opponents on Wednesday's final night of the NBA regular season.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Closing night has 76ers, Celtics, Raptors as possible Heat playoff opponents," 11 Apr. 2018
We have become locked into our own data shadows and our lives are flooded with a plethora of endless permutations.

— liz rideal, Time, "Self-Portraits Are Proof That We Have Always Loved Taking Selfies," 27 Mar. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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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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See words that rhyme with permutation Spanish Central: Translation of permutation Britannica English: Translation of permutation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about permutation

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permutation

Definition of permutation

permutational

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

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Origin and Etymology of permutation

PERMUTATION Defined for English Language Learners

permutation

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permutational

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