permutation

noun

per·​mu·​ta·​tion ˌpər-myü-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce permutation (audio)
1
: often major or fundamental change (as in character or condition) based primarily on rearrangement of existent elements
the system has gone through several permutations
also : a form or variety resulting from such change
technology available in various permutations
2
a
: the act or process of changing the lineal order of an ordered set of objects
b
: an ordered arrangement of a set of objects
permutational adjective

Did you know?

Permutation has not changed all that much since it was borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-French as permutacioun, meaning "exchange, transformation." Permutacioun traces back to the Latin verb permutare, meaning "to change thoroughly, exchange," and ultimately derives from the Latin mutare, "to change." Other descendants of mutare in English include commute, mutant, and mutual. Permutation also has a specific application in the field of mathematics relating to the ordering of a given set of objects. For example, permutations of items a, b, and c are abc, acb, bac, etc.

Examples of permutation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mookie Betts did not want to ruminate through future permutations. Noah Furtado, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 After dinner, in the living room, several people cuddled with several other people, in various permutations. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 That also means the Super Bowl 58 permutations have been reduced from 16 prior to the divisional round down to a quartet of possible combinations. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 In their financial reports, traditional brick-and-mortar retailers don’t break out the various permutations of online and offline customer interaction that could result in a sale. Greg Petro, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 But the path to net zero is not unlike a series of humanity-wide new year’s resolutions — to try a new way, to follow through on change, and to unlock a different and better permutation of ourselves. Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2024 This permutation of the Grateful Dead included three of the Dead’s original members and featured the singer-songwriter John Mayer. Marc Lacey, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023 Directors can arrange a proscenium stage, an open black box space or a theater in the round — along with every possible permutation in between. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2023 Many permutations of that soft panel of cream, butter and black pepper have made their way into my holiday cooking repertoire over the years. Eric Kim, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'permutation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English permutacioun exchange, transformation, from Anglo-French, from Latin permutation-, permutatio, from permutare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of permutation was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near permutation

Cite this Entry

“Permutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permutation. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

permutation

noun
per·​mu·​ta·​tion ˌpər-myu̇-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce permutation (audio)
: an ordered arrangement of a set of objects

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