natural selection

noun

: a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment

Examples of natural selection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After the interbreeding, natural selection kept a few traits from Neanderthals while ditching many more. Evan Bush, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024 Biological evolution, with DNA mutations creating the configurations that persist through reproduction and natural selection, would then be only one subset of this broader law. Paul Voosen, science.org, 1 Nov. 2024 That is, as time goes on, a system will grow more diverse and complex, enriched in the functions needed for survival, through a kind of natural selection. Paul Voosen, science.org, 1 Nov. 2024 Since there are way more eggs than there are mature animals, and a lot of them die, natural selection for survival through the egg stage is likely extremely powerful, says Warkentin. Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for natural selection 

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of natural selection was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near natural selection

Cite this Entry

“Natural selection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural%20selection. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

natural selection

noun
: a natural process in which individuals or groups best adapted to the conditions under which they live survive and produce young and poorly adapted forms are eliminated

Medical Definition

natural selection

noun
: a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment

More from Merriam-Webster on natural selection

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!