devolve

verb

devolved; devolving

transitive verb

: to pass on (something, such as responsibility, rights, or powers) from one person or entity to another
devolving to western Europe full responsibility for its own defense Christopher Lane

intransitive verb

1
a
: to pass by transmission or succession
the estate devolved on a distant cousin
b
: to fall or be passed usually as a responsibility or obligation
the responsibility for breadwinning has devolved increasingly upon women Barbara Ehrenreich
2
: to come by or as if by flowing down
streams devolving from the mountains
his allegedly subversive campaigns … devolve from his belief in basic American rights Frank Deford
3
: to degenerate through a gradual change or evolution
The scene devolved into chaos.

Did you know?

The Evolution of Devolve

Evolve? Check. Revolve? Check. Devolve? Now we’re on a roll—literally. All three of these words (and more) evolved from the Latin verb volvere, meaning "to set in a circular course, to cause to roll, to bring round." Latin ēvolvere means "to roll out or away"; Latin revolvere means "to roll back to a starting point"; and Latin dēvolvere means "to roll (something) down." In its earliest uses in the 15th century, devolve was about literally rolling down: it meant "to roll onward or downward." Today the word is typically about a more figurative rolling down, as when an organization devolves power—that is, passes power down—to those at a lower level of authority, or when a deteriorating situation is described as "devolving into chaos." One word, multiple uses. That's just how English rolls.

Examples of devolve in a Sentence

She cynically asserts that our species is devolving. Somehow the debate devolved into a petty competition to see who could get more applause. Community leaders hope that the new government will devolve more power to the community itself. Responsibility has devolved to the individual teachers.
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.
Such flexibility allows for periods when one partner may need more support—whether due to personal challenges, career changes or health issues—without the relationship devolving into a completely one-sided dynamic. Mark Travers, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 Built in the 1960s, the townhome complex near 42nd Street and Post Road devolved into a hotbed for drug dealing and crime in recent years, in part because of mismanagement by prior homeowners association leaders, the city says. Jordan Smith, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Dec. 2024 Until, of course, everything devolves by way of Eddie and Niles dressed as Santa Claus and Jesus, respectively. Marianne Eloise, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024 Without accountability, autonomy and agency can devolve into confusion and halt progress. Margaret Graziano, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for devolve 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English devolven "to transfer, overthrow," borrowed from Latin dēvolvere "to roll (something) down, (in passive voice) sink or fall back, become subject (to), be passed down (to an heir)," from dē- de- + volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of devolve was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near devolve

Cite this Entry

“Devolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devolve. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Legal Definition

devolve

intransitive verb
devolved; devolving
1
: to pass by transfer or succession
the estate devolved to a distant cousin
2
: to fall or be passed usually as an obligation or responsibility
in case of the removal of the President from office, or of his…inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President U.S. Constitution art. II
Etymology

Medieval Latin devolvi, passive of devolvere to roll down, from Latin, from de down, away + volvere to roll

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