permutation

noun

per·​mu·​ta·​tion ˌpər-myü-ˈtā-shən 

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

ˌpər-myü-ˈtā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web

After comparing their data to computational models of various permutations of mantle plumes, the researchers have found that the best explanation for their observations is a single plume that moves upward in pulses. —Nora Bradford, Scientific American, 7 July 2025

Any of those permutations would work within rules of the salary cap. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025

Another hypothetical permutation that would make sense: Hachimura, Dalton Knecht and Shake Milton for Wiggins, with Miami then re-routing Knecht to Charlotte in returns for Miami’s 2027 or 2028 first-round pick that was sent to the Hornets in the Terry Rozier deal. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025

Sales of Eternal Sunshine were bolstered by its availability in a variety of permutations released for the Brighter Days Ahead launch. —Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 6 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing permutation

• even permutation
• odd permutation
• permutation group

Rhymes for permutation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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Kids Definition

permutation

noun

per·​mu·​ta·​tion ˌpər-myu̇-ˈtā-shən 

: an ordered arrangement of a set of objects