devolution
Americannoun
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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, 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.
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.
The government subsequently introduced its English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to deliver its manifesto commitment to:
From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give Sir Sadiq Khan and other civic chiefs the authority to do so through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.
From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025
Sussex's inclusion in the government's fast-track Devolution Priority Programme means leaders have until 26 September to submit final plans for how councils will be restructured from April 2028.
From BBC • Sep. 19, 2025
The spokesperson added that the English Devolution White Paper sets out to remove "any unnecessary or dated provisions" and ensure any incoming legislation supported growth in the capital.
From BBC • Feb. 27, 2025
Lord Dunraven's views as to Devolution, it may be surmised, are too democratic for Sir Horace Plunkett, and are not sufficiently democratic for Mr. Russell.
From Ireland and the Home Rule Movement by McDonnell, Michael F. J.
Definitions 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.
