Devolution: meaning, definitions and examples

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devolution

 

[ ˌdiːvəˈluːʃ(ə)n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

political

The transfer of power from a central government to local or regional authorities.

Synonyms

autonomy, decentralization, localization

Examples of usage

  • The devolution of certain powers to the Scottish Parliament has led to increased autonomy.
  • Devolution aims to decentralize decision-making and empower local communities.
  • The process of devolution can vary significantly from one country to another.
Context #2 | Noun

biology

The gradual development or evolution of a particular feature or trait.

Synonyms

adaptation, development, evolution

Examples of usage

  • The devolution of wings in flightless birds is an example of adaptation to the environment.
  • Natural selection plays a key role in the process of devolution.
  • Devolution can be observed in various species over time.

Translations

Translations of the word "devolution" in other languages:

🇵🇹 devolução

🇮🇳 वापसी

🇩🇪 Rückgabe

🇮🇩 pengembalian

🇺🇦 повернення

🇵🇱 zwrot

🇯🇵 返却 (はんきゃく)

🇫🇷 restitution

🇪🇸 devolución

🇹🇷 iade

🇰🇷 반환 (반환)

🇸🇦 إعادة

🇨🇿 navrácení

🇸🇰 vrátenie

🇨🇳 归还 (guīhuán)

🇸🇮 vrnitev

🇮🇸 endurheimt

🇰🇿 қайтару

🇬🇪 დაბრუნება

🇦🇿 qaytarma

🇲🇽 devolución

Word origin

The term 'devolution' originated in the political context, specifically in the United Kingdom, where it refers to the transfer of powers from the central government to regional administrations. The concept of devolution has also been applied in biology to describe the gradual development or evolution of specific traits or features in organisms. The word has Latin roots, with 'de-' meaning 'down' or 'away', and 'evolution' referring to the process of change over time. 'Devolution' has since become a widely used term in both political and biological discourse.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,223, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.