devolution
Americannoun
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devolutions
plural
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the act or fact of devolving; passage onward from stage to stage.
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the passing on to a successor of an unexercised right.
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Law. the passing of property from one to another, as by hereditary succession.
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Biology. degeneration.
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the transfer of power or authority from a central government to a local government.
noun
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the act, fact, or result of devolving
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a passing onwards or downwards from one stage to another
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another word for degeneration
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a transfer or allocation of authority, esp from a central government to regional governments or particular interests
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of devolution
1535–45; (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin dēvolūtiōn- (stem of dēvolūtiō ) a rolling down, equivalent to Latin dēvolūt ( us ) rolled down (past participle of dēvolvere; see devolve) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Devolution is a process of decline. Something has gone from great to good, good to bad, or excellent all the way to horrible. If you know that evolution refers to how smaller or lesser creatures evolved into more complex beings, then you have a great clue to what devolution means. When devolution occurs, things have gone in a negative direction. If a rich person loses all their money, that's devolution. If a championship basketball team suddenly has a losing record, that's devolution. This word also refers to a central government delegating authority to a smaller body, such as a regional government.
Vocabulary lists containing devolution
Human Geography - High School
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Political Geography - High School
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U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
His long-term view of the UK he wants is well known – with devolution, a national care service, and greater public involvement in the economy.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
Friend of Slate Jay Willis, the editor in chief of Balls & Strikes, writes about the devolution of SCOTUSblog, the go-to outlet for Supreme Court news for nearly a quarter century.
From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026
All parties know that suddenly stepping off the precipice of devolution is one thing but as recent history tells us, trying to get back up over it never happens as quickly.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
Meanwhile, when devolution deals were first being discussed, a proposal was put forward for one mayor for all of Yorkshire.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
It was Mr. Balfour's way of announcing his dislike of the already dead and buried devolution plan.
From The Viceroys of Ireland by Charles O'Mahony
It did, however, mean an increasing pressure on the government for fresh devolutions of authority.
From The New World of Islam by Lothrop Stoddard
"Oh," said Mrs. Germain, absorbed by the devolutions of the tale.
From Rest Harrow A Comedy of Resolution by Maurice Henry Hewlett
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
