alternation of generations
noun phrase
: the occurrence of two or more forms differently produced in the life cycle of a plant or animal usually involving the regular alternation of a sexual with an asexual generation
Word History
First Known Use
1813, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
alternation of generations
noun
al·ter·na·tion of generations
ˌȯl-tər-ˈnā-shən also ˌal-
: the occurrence of two or more forms differently produced in the life cycle of a plant or animal usually involving the regular alternation of a sexual with an asexual generation but not infrequently consisting of alternation of a dioecious generation with one or more parthenogenetic generations