evolution

American  

[ev-uh-loo-shuhn, ee-vuh-] / ˌɛv əˈlu ʃən, ˌi və- /

noun

evolutions plural

1. any process of formation or growth; development.

   the evolution of a language; the evolution of the airplane.

   Synonyms:

   metamorphosis, progression, change

   Antonyms:

   changelessness, inactivity, stasis

2. a product of such development; something evolved.

   The exploration of space is the evolution of decades of research.

3. Biology. change in the gene pool of a population from generation to generation by such processes as mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift.

4. a process of gradual, peaceful, progressive change or development, as in social or economic structure or institutions.

5. a motion incomplete in itself, but combining with coordinated motions to produce a single action, as in a machine.

6. a pattern formed by or as if by a series of movements.

   the evolutions of a figure skater.

7. an evolving or giving off of gas, heat, etc.

8. Mathematics. the extraction of a root from a quantity.

9. a movement or one of a series of movements of troops, ships, etc., as for disposition in order of battle or in line on parade.

10. any similar movement, especially in close order drill.

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evolution British  

/ ˌiːvəˈluːʃən /

noun

1. biology a gradual change in the characteristics of a population of animals or plants over successive generations: accounts for the origin of existing species from ancestors unlike them See also natural selection

2. a gradual development, esp to a more complex form

   the evolution of modern art

3. the act of throwing off, as heat, gas, vapour, etc

4. a pattern formed by a series of movements or something similar

5. an algebraic operation in which the root of a number, expression, etc, is extracted Compare involution

6. military an exercise carried out in accordance with a set procedure or plan

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evolution Scientific  

/ ĕv′ə-lo̅o̅′shən /

1. The process by which species of organisms arise from earlier life forms and undergo change over time through natural selection. The modern understanding of the origins of species is based on the theories of Charles Darwin combined with a modern knowledge of genetics based on the work of Gregor Mendel. Darwin observed there is a certain amount of variation of traits or characteristics among the different individuals belonging to a population. Some of these traits confer fitness—they allow the individual organism that possesses them to survive in their environment better than other individuals who do not possess them and to leave more offspring. The offspring then inherit the beneficial traits, and over time the adaptive trait spreads through the population. In twentieth century, the development of the the science of genetics helped explain the origin of the variation of the traits between individual organisms and the way in which they are passed from generation to generation. This basic model of evolution has since been further refined, and the role of genetic drift and sexual selection in the evolution of populations has been recognized.

2. See also natural selection sexual selection See Notes at adaptation Darwin

3. A process of development and change from one state to another, as of the universe in its development through time.

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evolution Cultural  

1. A theory first proposed in the nineteenth century by Charles Darwin, according to which the Earth's species have changed and diversified through time under the influence of natural selection. Life on Earth is thought to have evolved in three stages. First came chemical evolution, in which organic molecules (see also organic molecule) were formed. This was followed by the development of single cells capable of reproducing themselves. This stage led to the development of complex organisms capable of sexual reproduction. Evolution is generally accepted as fact by scientists today, although debates continue over the precise mechanisms involved in the process. (See mutation, punctuated equilibrium, and creation science.)

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Closer Look

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection assumed that tiny adaptations occur in organisms constantly over millions of years. Gradually, a new species develops that is distinct from its ancestors. In the 1970s, however, biologists Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould proposed that evolution by natural selection may not have been such a smooth and consistent process. Based on fossils from around the world that showed the abrupt appearance of new species, Eldredge and Gould suggested that evolution is better described through punctuated equilibrium. That is, for long periods of time species remain virtually unchanged, not even gradually adapting. They are in equilibrium, in balance with the environment. But when confronted with environmental challenges—sudden climate change, for example—organisms adapt quite quickly, perhaps in only a few thousand years. These active periods are punctuations, after which a new equilibrium exists and species remain stable until the next punctuation.

Discover More

The first cell is thought to have been formed when the Earth was less than a billion years old.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• de-evolution
  noun
• antievolution
  adjective
• antievolutional
  adjective
• evolutional
  adjective
• evolutionary
  adjective
• nonevolutional
  adjective
• preevolutional
  adjective
• proevolution
  adjective
• unevolutional
  adjective
• antievolutionally
  adverb
• evolutionally
  adverb
• nonevolutionally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• evolutions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of evolution

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin ēvolūtiōn- (stem of ēvolūtiō ) “an unrolling, opening,” equivalent to ēvolūt(us) past participle of ēvolere “to roll out or away” + -iōn-; see evolute, -ion

Explanation

Evolution means the process of developing by gradual changes. A rock star might discuss her evolution as a musician, for example. In biology, evolution refers to genetic change in species or populations over time. Evolution usually refers to a process that produces a better or more complex form. In biology, it is the natural process by which animals and plants develop from their original or primitive state to their modern or specialized state. This noun is from Latin evolutio, "an unrolling or opening," combined from the prefix e-, "out," plus volvere, "to roll."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

evolution evolutions

Running alongside the tactical evolution was a parallel story that took even longer to resolve: The question of who Messi was for Argentina.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

Tesla and SpaceX may be winners in the next evolution of value investing, says the president and chief investment officer of Tsai Capital, Christopher Tsai.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

"The overnight evolution has been favourable and the weather conditions allow us to face the day with better prospects than yesterday," Antonio Sanz, the Andalusian regional government's emergency chief, told reporters.

From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026

But he added there had been a "striking evolution" where postcards had become "more of a collector's item, transforming into a mini art form".

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

If the descent of species occurred as Darwin suggested, he reasoned, then the implication for human evolution was obvious.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

That raises an uncomfortable question: Are these rule changes thoughtful evolutions in index design, or reactive attempts to preserve competitiveness?

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 2, 2026

But having a bot read a transcript and identify the relevant sections for me to verify is a massive time-saver, one of my favorite technological evolutions of any product I’ve used in my career.

From Slate ● May 24, 2026

“It took about 30 years for computer vision technology to mature. I think we are at the beginning of those evolutions in smell data.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

AFP has archived these files and tracked evolutions in these categories from the very first days of the conflict.

From Barron's ● Feb. 24, 2026

Human history has no purpose or goal; but there are plenty of origins, foundations, evolutions and developments, and if you leave them out then you leave out any possibility of understanding change.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• change
• enlargement
• expansion
• growth
• progression
• transformation