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

Arizona, on the other hand, has more reliable weather and tons of great public golf, all of which is logistically simple and easily combined in almost infinite permutations. —Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

And combining technologies from different manufacturers, that's when all kinds of interesting new permutations happen. —Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

James’ versatility creates numerous permutations as far as how the Chargers structure their secondary from down to down. —Daniel Popper, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025

The basic formula for The War of the Worlds has remained consistent through the story’s historical permutations. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 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