Evolution is a process of gradual change that takes place over many generations, during whichspecies of animals, plants, or insects slowly change some of their physical characteristics.
...the evolution of plants and animals. [+ of]
...the theory of evolution by natural selection.
...human evolution.
Synonyms: rise, development, adaptation, natural selection More Synonyms of evolution
2. variable noun
Evolution is a process of gradual development in a particular situation or thing over a period of time.
[formal]
...a crucial period in the evolution of modern physics. [+ of]
...an accurate account of his country's evolution.
His long life comprised a series of evolutions.
Synonyms: development, growth, advance, progress More Synonyms of evolution
evolution in British English
(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 (sense 6)
6. military
an exercise carried out in accordance with a set procedure or plan
Derived forms
evolutionary (ˌevoˈlutionary) or evolutional (ˌevoˈlutional)
adjective
Word origin
C17: from Latin ēvolūtiō an unrolling, from ēvolvere to evolve
evolution in American English
(ˌɛvəˈluʃən; occas. ˌ ivəˈluʃən)
noun
1.
an unfolding, opening out, or working out; process of development, as from a simple to a complex form, or of gradual, progressive change, as in a social and economic structure
2.
a result or product of this; thing evolved
3.
a.
a movement that is part of a series or pattern
b.
a pattern produced, or seemingly produced, by such a series of movements
the evolutions of a fancy skater
4.
a setting free or giving off, as of gas in a chemical reaction
5. Biology
a.
the development of a species, organism, or organ from its original or primitive state to its present or specialized state; phylogeny or ontogeny
b.
Darwinian theory
see also Lamarckism, mutation
6. Ancient Mathematics
the extracting of a root of a given number
see also involution
7. Military
any of various movements or maneuvers by which troops, ships, etc. change formation
Derived forms
evolutional (ˌevoˈlutional)
adjective
evolutionally (ˌevoˈlutionally)
adverb
evolutionary (ˌevoˈlutionˌary)
adjective
Word origin
L evolutio, an unrolling or opening < evolutus, pp. of evolvere: see evolve; (sense 7) Fr évolution
Examples of 'evolution' in a sentence
evolution
Our chairman has been quite explicit about being open to other clubs and we think the natural evolution will be there.
The Sun (2016)
It's a natural evolution of what we do.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A royal source added:'This is a natural evolution of the new generation of the royal family.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The evolution of life has been powerfully shaped by them.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Life is a thing which is capable of undergoing evolution by natural selection.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Women have tended to think in terms of a gradual and natural evolution of their rights.
Lee Harvey Critical Social Research (1990)
Taken together these changes now imply that we are experiencing an entirely new form of evolution.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The process of evolution will happen all over again.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
They are the youngest and the best at coping with the evolution of the modern game.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We know that religious thought underwent a complex evolution.
Crowley, Vivianne Phoenix From the Flame (1994)
There are all sorts of reasons for the sharp increase in human athletic evolution.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The pattern of smuggling has changed with the evolution of the revolution into war.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Evolution in economic life helps those with the maximum amount of hidden risks become the biggest.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The battle has echoed a process of evolution and slow fragmentation seen in the wider conflict.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Food preparation seems closely linked to the evolution of our modern brains.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The theory of human evolution insists that we exist merely to spread our genes.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It was a crucial time in the evolution of the universe but we know very little about it.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But evolution is a gradual process.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The processes of evolution do not.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It also offers a natural evolution for the consumer rather than plunging their wardrobes suddenly into a whole set of new trends.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The hotel's dazzling evolution shows how times and expectations have changed.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
If you have a good evolution in life, you become less selfish.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Taking a permanent job in cybersecurity is a natural evolution of her career, she said.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The data say little about what is happening today, when crucial factors that affect evolution have greatly changed.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The king himself would join in, and his patronage and enthusiasm contributed to the evolution of the art form we know today.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
evolution
British English: evolution /ˌiːvəˈluːʃən/ NOUN
Evolution is a process in which animals and plants slowly change over many years.
...the evolution of plants and animals.
American English: evolution
Arabic: نُشُوء
Brazilian Portuguese: evolução
Chinese: 演变
Croatian: evolucija
Czech: evoluce
Danish: evolution
Dutch: evolutie
European Spanish: evolución
Finnish: evoluutio
French: évolution
German: Evolution
Greek: εξέλιξη
Italian: evoluzione
Japanese: 発展
Korean: 진화
Norwegian: utvikling
Polish: ewolucja
European Portuguese: evolução
Romanian: evoluție
Russian: эволюция
Latin American Spanish: evolución
Swedish: evolution
Thai: วิวัฒนาการ
Turkish: evrim
Ukrainian: еволюція
Vietnamese: sự tiến hóa
All related terms of 'evolution'
emergent evolution
the doctrine that, in the course of evolution , some entirely new properties, such as life and consciousness, appear at certain critical points, usually because of an unpredictable rearrangement of the already existing entities
parallel evolution
the independent development of closely corresponding adaptive features in two or more groups of organisms that occupy different but equivalent habitats , as marsupial mammals in Australia and placental mammals on other continents
social evolution
the process of social development from an early simple type of social organization to one that is complex and highly specialized
stellar evolution
the sequence of changes that occurs in a star as it ages
convergent evolution
the evolutionary development of a superficial resemblance between unrelated animals that occupy a similar environment , as in the evolution of wings in birds and bats
divergent evolution
the act or result of diverging or the amount by which something diverges
Chinese translation of 'evolution'
evolution
(iːvəˈluːʃən)
n(u)
(Bio) 进(進)化 (jìnhuà)
(= development) 演变(變) (yǎnbiàn)
1 (noun)
Definition
a gradual change in the characteristics of a population of animals or plants over successive generations
the evolution of plants and animals
Synonyms
rise
development
There has been a significant development in the case.
adaptation
natural selection
Darwinism
survival of the fittest
evolvement
2 (noun)
Definition
a gradual development, esp. to a more complex form
a crucial period in the evolution of modern physics
Synonyms
development
the development of the embryo
growth
the unchecked growth of the country's population
advance
They clocked up a worldwide sales advance of 27 per cent.
progress
The two sides made little progress towards agreement.
The doctors say they are pleased with her progress.
working out
expansion
the rapid expansion of private health insurance
extension
The agreement we have reached is a natural extension of our relationship.
unfolding
progression
Both drugs slow the progression of the disease.
enlargement
There is insufficient space for the enlargement of the buildings.
maturation
unrolling
Additional synonyms
in the sense of advance
They clocked up a worldwide sales advance of 27 per cent.
Synonyms
increase,
rise,
development,
gain,
growth,
boost,
addition,
expansion,
extension,
enlargement,
escalation,
upsurge,
upturn,
increment,
intensification,
augmentation
in the sense of enlargement
There is insufficient space for the enlargement of the buildings.
Synonyms
expansion,
increase,
development,
growth,
spread,
inflation,
extension,
swelling,
unfolding,
expanse,
diffusion,
unfurling,
opening out,
intensification,
magnification,
multiplication,
amplification,
elongation,
augmentation,
dilatation,
distension
in the sense of expansion
Definition
an increase or development, esp. in the activities of a company