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

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Bonus: Income Investing And Getting Paid To Wait Nearly all permutations of stock market strategies—growth, momentum, or value investing—have produced inflation-beating results over time. Wes Moss, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 Jaden Bradley, Caleb Love, and KJ Lewis are still the headliners on the perimeter — but the real difference the last five games, and the guy who makes all these lineup permutations click, is Campbell transfer Anthony Dell’Orso. Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025 Even in multiples, the right permutations shade in pigment to a room like a piece of art, whether through the accessories and furnishings or the paint on the walls. Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 11 Oct. 2024 Picture lights, sconces, and lamps all throughout can accommodate various lighting permutations. Michael Boodro, Architectural Digest, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for permutation 

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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Cite this Entry

“Permutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permutation. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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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