Darwinism

American  

[dahr-wuh-niz-uhm] / ˈdɑr wəˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. the Darwinian theory that species originate by descent, with variation, from parent forms, through the natural selection of those individuals best adapted for the reproductive success of their kind.

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Darwinism British  

/ ˈdɑːwɪˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the theory of the origin of animal and plant species by evolution through a process of natural selection Compare Lamarckism See also Neo-Darwinism

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Darwinism Scientific  

/ där′wĭ-nĭz′əm /

1. A theory of biological evolution developed by Charles Darwin and others, stating that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce. Darwin's ideas have been refined and modified by subsequent researchers, but his theories still form the foundation of the scientific understanding of the evolution of life. Darwinism is often contrasted with another theory of biological evolution called Lamarckism, based on the now-discredited ideas of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.

2. See Note at evolution

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Other Word Forms

• Darwinist
  noun
• Darwinite
  noun
• anti-Darwinism
  noun
• anti-Darwinist
  noun
• pro-Darwinism
  noun
• Darwinistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Darwinism

First recorded in 1855–60; Darwin + -ism

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Darwinism

The turn-of-the-century molds in his studio — which use botanic motifs, blossoming forms with metallic winged and floral attachments — look like desk toppers fit for an early 1900s eccentric obsessed with Darwinism and industrialization.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026

These predators practice unfettered instant Darwinism while lobbing macho boasts at each other in the extraterrestrial version of dialogue written for professional wrestlers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025

Social Darwinism was a bad idea in the 1900s.

From Salon ● May 27, 2025

The authors point out that while it is not novel to ask the question "What is Darwinism?" novel sources of confusion warrant revisiting the question.

From Science Daily ● May 28, 2024

It's like some horribly twisted form of Social Darwinism.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz