devolution

American  

[dev-uh-loo-shuhn, dee-vuh-] / ˌdɛv əˈlu ʃən, ˈdi və- /

noun

1. the act or fact of devolving; passage onward from stage to stage.

2. the passing on to a successor of an unexercised right.

3. Law. the passing of property from one to another, as by hereditary succession.

4. Biology. degeneration.

5. the transfer of power or authority from a central government to a local government.

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devolution British  

/ ˌdiːvəˈluːʃən /

noun

1. the act, fact, or result of devolving

2. a passing onwards or downwards from one stage to another

3. another word for degeneration

4. a transfer or allocation of authority, esp from a central government to regional governments or particular interests

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Other Word Forms

• devolutionary adjective
• devolutionist noun

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; 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, than 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.

Example Sentences

Stormont's finance minister has been making the case to the Treasury to restore the "stabilisation fund" - additional one-off funding which accompanied the restoration of devolution in 2024, which has now ended.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Few people have played a bigger role in the devolution story over the past 27 years than Drakeford.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

For more than a year, Scottish politicians have been grappling with matters of life and death as they debated one of the most contested bills in the history of devolution.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

"In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, there are clearly reserved areas of governmental responsibilities and this government is committed to upholding this devolution settlement with mutual respect and partnership."

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

The statement, "As one earth shall pass away and the heavens thereof, even so shall another come," corresponds somewhat to the modern scientist's notion of "evolution and devolution."

From Joseph Smith the Prophet-Teacher A Discourse by Roberts, B. H.

Related Words

• deterioration
• downturn
• drop
• failure
• fall
• recession
• slump
• weakening