coevolution
noun
co·evo·lu·tion
ˌkō-ˌe-və-ˈlü-shən 
also -ˌē-və-
: evolution involving successive changes in two or more ecologically interdependent species (as of a plant and its pollinators) that affect their interactions
Examples of coevolution in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Canine work also includes some of the partnerships that have been the backbone of human-dog coevolution, such as guarding, herding, hunting, and acting as sentry.
—
Jessica Pierce, TIME, 15 Dec. 2024
The discovery surprised researchers, who didn’t expect the high degree of coevolution between the mother’s microbiome and the baby’s to go on for so long after birth.
—Quanta Magazine, 19 Dec. 2023
Li is currently the founding codirector of Stanford’s Institute of Human-Centered AI (HAI), whose very name is a plea for cooperation, if not coevolution, between people and intelligent machines.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 10 Nov. 2023
This cultural-genetic coevolution stacked the deck in human society so that cooperation became the smart move rather than a sucker’s choice.
—Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2023
The Marine Corps leadership clearly believes in the power of new weaponry but fails to appreciate the dynamic of war whereby every innovation inspires a countermeasure — and that countermeasure then inspires a counter-countermeasure, in a cycle of continuous coevolution.
—John F. Schmitt, National Review, 2 Apr. 2022
Over the eons, through the compounded effects of symbiosis and coevolution, forests developed a kind of circulatory system.
—New York Times, 2 Dec. 2020
There's another neat twist to the experiment that tells a story about coevolution.
—Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2012
The pairing makes for a striking case in coevolution — no other species has been so thoroughly integrated into human society.
—Richard Pallardy, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2021
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.
Jessica Pierce, TIME, 15 Dec. 2024
The discovery surprised researchers, who didn’t expect the high degree of coevolution between the mother’s microbiome and the baby’s to go on for so long after birth.
—Quanta Magazine, 19 Dec. 2023
Li is currently the founding codirector of Stanford’s Institute of Human-Centered AI (HAI), whose very name is a plea for cooperation, if not coevolution, between people and intelligent machines.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 10 Nov. 2023
This cultural-genetic coevolution stacked the deck in human society so that cooperation became the smart move rather than a sucker’s choice.
—Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2023
The Marine Corps leadership clearly believes in the power of new weaponry but fails to appreciate the dynamic of war whereby every innovation inspires a countermeasure — and that countermeasure then inspires a counter-countermeasure, in a cycle of continuous coevolution.
—John F. Schmitt, National Review, 2 Apr. 2022
Over the eons, through the compounded effects of symbiosis and coevolution, forests developed a kind of circulatory system.
—New York Times, 2 Dec. 2020
There's another neat twist to the experiment that tells a story about coevolution.
—Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2012
The pairing makes for a striking case in coevolution — no other species has been so thoroughly integrated into human society.
—Richard Pallardy, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2021
Dictionary Entries Near coevolution
Cite this Entry
“Coevolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coevolution. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
coevolution
noun
co·evo·lu·tion
ˌkō-ˌev-ə-ˈlü-shən
-ˌē-və-
: evolution occurring in two interdependent species (as a flowering plant and a pollinator) in which long-term adaptive changes are influenced by their close interactions
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share