Definition of evolution Evolution

/ɛˌvʌluˈʃʌn/ - [evulushun] - ev•o•lu•tion

We found 22 definitions of evolution from 9 different sources.

What does evolution mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: evolution
evolution - (biology) the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms
		organic evolution, phylogeny, phylogenesis
		biological process, organic process a process occurring in living organisms
		biological science, biology the science that studies living organisms
		anamorphosis, anamorphism a distorted projection or perspective; especially an image distorted in such a way that it becomes visible only when viewed in a special manner
		anthropogenesis, anthropogeny the evolution or genesis of the human race
		emergent evolution the appearance of entirely new properties at certain critical stages in the course of evolution
		macroevolution evolution on a large scale extending over geologic era and resulting in the formation of new taxonomic groups
		microevolution evolution resulting from small specific genetic changes that can lead to a new subspecies
evolution - a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage); "the development of his ideas took many years"; "the evolution of Greek civilization"; "the slow development of her skill as a writer"
		development
		devolution, degeneration the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government)
		physical process, process a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states; "events now in process"; "the process of calcification begins later for boys than for girls"
		assibilation the development of a consonant phoneme into a sibilant
		deepening a process of becoming deeper and more profound
		growth vegetation that has grown; "a growth of trees"; "the only growth was some salt grass"

= synonym
= antonym
= related word

Wiktionary

evolution (Noun)
gradual directional change especially one leading to a more advanced or complex form; growth; development.
evolution (Noun)
The change in the genetic composition of a population over successive generations.
evolution (Noun)
The extraction of a root from a quantity.
evolution (Noun)
One of a series of ordered movements.
evolution (Noun)
A turning movement of the body.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

evolution (n.)
The act of unfolding or unrolling; hence, in the process of growth; development; as, the evolution of a flower from a bud, or an animal from the egg.
evolution (n.)
A series of things unrolled or unfolded.
evolution (n.)
The formation of an involute by unwrapping a thread from a curve as an evolute.
evolution (n.)
The extraction of roots; -- the reverse of involution.
evolution (n.)
A prescribed movement of a body of troops, or a vessel or fleet; any movement designed to effect a new arrangement or disposition; a maneuver.
evolution (n.)
A general name for the history of the steps by which any living organism has acquired the morphological and physiological characters which distinguish it; a gradual unfolding of successive phases of growth or development.
evolution (n.)
That theory of generation which supposes the germ to preexist in the parent, and its parts to be developed, but not actually formed, by the procreative act; -- opposed to epigenesis.
evolution (n.)
That series of changes under natural law which involves continuous progress from the homogeneous to the heterogeneous in structure, and from the single and simple to the diverse and manifold in quality or function. The pocess is by some limited to organic beings; by others it is applied to the inorganic and the psychical. It is also applied to explain the existence and growth of institutions, manners, language, civilization, and every product of human activity. The agencies and laws of the process are variously explained by different philosophrs.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

evolution
The biological theory or process whereby species of plants and animals change with the passage of time so that their descendants differ from their ancestors, i.e. development from earlier forms by hereditary transmission of slight variations in successive generations.
evolution
A gradual process of development, formation, or growth, especially, one leading to a more advanced or complex form.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

evolution
ev-ol-ū′shun, n. the act of unrolling or unfolding: gradual working out or development: a series of things unfolded: the doctrine according to which higher forms of life have gradually arisen out of lower: (arith., alg.) the extraction of roots: (pl.) the orderly movements of a body of troops or of ships of war.—adjs. Evolū′tional, Evolū′tionary, of or pertaining to evolution.—ns. Evolū′tionism, the theory of evolution; Evolū′tionist, one skilled in evolutions or military movements: one who believes in evolution as a principle in science.—adj. Ev′olūtive. [L. evolutionem—evolvĕre.]

Sailor's Word-BookThe Sailor's Word-Book ⛵

evolution
The change of form and disposition during manœuvres, whether of men or ships; movements which should combine celerity with precision and regularity.

Foolish DictionaryThe Foolish Dictionary 🤡

evolution
A clever trick performed by one Darwin, who made a monkey of Adam.

Wikipedia

In the study of life and living things, evolution is the term used to describe the way a type of living thing changes over a long period of time. "Evolution" is a scientific theory (an explanation) that is used by scientists to explain why different creatures and plants are the way that they are, and act the way that they do.

When scientists look at living creatures, they often see that changes have happened to the shape or the behaviour of a group of creatures. For example, lizards, monkeys, humans and many other creatures have five "digits" (fingers and toes) on each limb. But some creatures have four, some have three, some have two and some have only one. The creatures that have less than five digits often have a sign that they used to have more. It might be two extra little toes, too high up to walk on, or it might be just a bump on the side of the leg, where the animal's ancestors had another toe. A horse has a single hoof on each foot, a cow has two, a bird has its whole arm changed into a wing, and a human has a hand. But if we look at fossils - made when very old dead things got squashed between clay or sand, which hardened into rocks, we can see all these animals were once one type of animal: Fishes. The fossils show the animals slowly getting different from each other, and dividing into more and more types of animals. They look different now because they changed in different ways: That is evolution.

Scientists can see that changes have happened. They have happened v