r selection

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Ecology.

selection occurring when a population is far below the carrying capacity of an unstable environment: tends to favor individuals that reproduce early, quickly, and in large numbers so as to make use of ephemeral resources and ensure that at least some offspring survive.

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Also r-se·lec·tion

[ahr-si-lek-shuhn]. /ˈɑr sɪˌlɛk ʃən/.

Compare K selection.

OTHER WORDS FROM r selection

r-se·lect·ed

[ahr-si-lek-tid], /ˈɑr sɪˌlɛk tɪd/, adjective

How to use r selection in a sentence

At the time (and until 1913), U.S. senators were not popularly elected but were selected by the state legislature.
The Black Man Who Replaced Jefferson Davis in the Senate|Philip Dray|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Boehner was unanimously selected by the conference as its official nominee for speaker in the coming Congress.
The YOLO Caucus' New Cry for Attention|Ben Jacobs|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They selected an “easy mark” who turned out to be an off-duty NYC Housing Authority cop named James Carragher.
His First Day Out Of Jail After 40 Years: Adjusting To Life Outside|Justin Rohrlich|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For his part, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has expressed his “full confidence” in Representative Scalise.
Reverend Jeremiah Wright Was Worse Than Scalise|Ron Christie|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Its adaptability and breeding capabilities ensured that it would be selected for mass production on an unimaginable scale.
The History of the Chicken: How This Humble Bird Saved Humanity|William O’Connor|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Q was a Queen, who wore a silk slip; R was a Robber, and wanted a whip.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
If I selected lucid and simple extracts, they would give no idea of the intricacy and prolixity of Duns.
The Mediaeval Mind (Volume II of II)|Henry Osborn Taylor
Meanwhile, he had been selected as aide-de-camp by General d'Ure de Molans.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Malcolm had selected it as a training-ground that evening, because he meant to weary and subdue his too highly spirited charger.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
"To R——," replied the man, as he turned silently and sullenly to retrace his steps.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various