macroevolution

[ mak-roh-ev-uh-loo-shuhn or, especially British, -ee-vuh- ]

/ ˌmæk roʊˌɛv əˈlu ʃən or, especially British, -ˌi və- /

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noun Biology.

major evolutionary transition from one type of organism to another occurring at the level of the species and higher taxa.

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Origin of macroevolution

First recorded in 1935–40; macro- + evolution

OTHER WORDS FROM macroevolution

mac·ro·ev·o·lu·tion·ar·y, adjective

Words nearby macroevolution

macrocytosis, macrodome, macrodontia, macroeconomics, macroetch, macroevolution, macroform, macrofossil, macrogamete, macroglia, macroglobulin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for macroevolution

macroevolution

/ (ˌmækrəʊˌiːvəˈluːʃən) /

noun

biology the evolution of large taxonomic groups such as genera and families

Derived forms of macroevolution

macroevolutionary, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for macroevolution

macroevolution

[ măk′rō-ĕv′ə-lōō′shən ]

Evolution that results in the formation of a new taxonomic group above the level of a species.