natural selection

noun

: a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment

Examples of natural selection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Revonsuo proposed that dreaming itself is an ancient biological defense mechanism, shaped by natural selection to rehearse threat perception and avoidance during sleep. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

These results, published in May 2025 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that the forces of natural selection have made limited changes to the photosystem’s core, but that other aspects of the photosynthetic machinery have proved more malleable. —Quanta Magazine, 10 June 2026

This made Orona a natural selection for Big West Field Athlete of the Year. —Brian Robin, Oc Register, 8 June 2026

The invisible hand of natural selection didn’t optimize for kindness. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for natural selection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Kids Definition

natural selection

noun

: a natural process in which individuals or groups best adapted to the conditions under which they live survive and produce young and poorly adapted forms are eliminated

Medical Definition

natural selection

noun

: a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment