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

Charles Darwin said the discovery supported his theory of natural selection. —Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025

This pay-to-win offer has interfered with the process of natural selection—in which popular posts would multiply through reposts, mutate in iterative references, and rise above the overwhelming majority of posts that got no interest at all—that used to be the platform’s defining quality. —Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2025

The large-scale goal of all this work has been to demonstrate natural selection in action—a rare feat, given the time scales on which evolution happens. —Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024

Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, detailed in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, became the foundation of modern evolutionary studies. —Leslie Katz, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for natural selection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

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