permutation
noun
Did you know?
Permutation has not changed all that much since it was borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-French 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.
Examples of permutation in a Sentence
John R. Bolton, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025
Of all the permutations put into play by the Heat to potentially land Durant, Ware was not one of them.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
Thx for the great explanation of this trade, the rationales and all the potential permutations involved.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Jaime has been floated in trade permutations and the Heat certainly would include him, if needed, in the right deal.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for permutation
Cite this Entry
“Permutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permutation. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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permutation
noun
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