sexual selection

noun

: natural selection for characters that confer success in competition for a mate as distinguished from competition with other species
also : the choice of a mate based on a preference for certain characteristics (such as color or bird song)

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sexual selection was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near sexual selection

sexual relations

sexual selection

sexual skin

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Cite this Entry

“Sexual selection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexual%20selection. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

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Medical Definition

sexual selection

noun
: natural selection for characters that confer success in competition for a mate as distinguished from competition with other species
also : the choice of a mate based on a preference for certain characteristics (as color or bird song)

More from Merriam-Webster on sexual selection

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sexual selection

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