macroevolution

American  

[mak-roh-ev-uh-loo-shuhn, -ee-vuh-] / ˌmæk roʊˌɛv əˈlu ʃən, -ˌi və- /

noun

Biology.

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

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macroevolution British  

/ ˌmækrəʊˌiːvəˈluːʃən /

noun

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

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macroevolution Scientific  

/ măk′rō-ĕv′ə-lo̅o̅′shən /

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

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Other Word Forms

• macroevolutionary
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of macroevolution

First recorded in 1935–40; macro- + evolution

Example Sentences

Moreover, the study touches on broader questions of macroevolution: how new species arise, adapt and diversify.

From Science Daily • Dec. 2, 2024

Microevolution describes the evolution of organisms over their lifetimes, while macroevolution describes the evolution of organisms over multiple generations.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Over the course of two days, sessions covered sexual selection and macroevolution, the identification of sexual selection in the fossil record, relevant patterns, processes and mechanisms, and more.

From Scientific American • May 19, 2018

For therapy development, retarding cellular macroevolution may be much more effective than attempts to kill M1/PT-like cells, and require a change to current adjuvant therapy strategies.

From Nature • Sep. 18, 2013

Microevolution describes the evolution of populations, while macroevolution describes the emergence of new species over long periods of time.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013