reversion

noun

re·​ver·​sion ri-ˈvər-zhən 

-shən

1

a

: the part of a simple estate remaining in the control of its owner after the owner has granted therefrom a lesser particular estate

b

: a future interest in property left in the control of a grantor or the grantor's successor

2

: the right of succession or future possession or enjoyment

3

a

: an act or the process of returning (as to a former condition)

b

: a return toward an ancestral type or condition : reappearance of an ancestral character

4

: an act or instance of turning the opposite way : the state of being so turned

5

: a product of reversion

specifically : an organism with an atavistic character : throwback

Synonyms

• regression
• retrogression

Examples of reversion in a Sentence

His photos document the land's reversion to swamp.

the reversion of the estate

Recent Examples on the Web

The risk of an al Qaeda comeback is real, but Afghanistan’s reversion to its pre-9/11 role as a safe haven is unlikely. —Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2021

Chinese experts have voiced confidence that China could cope with Washington’s reversion to protectionism. —Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Nov. 2024

The United States must lead the democratic world in defending itself from a reversion to historical patterns that could well lead to democracy’s demise. —Alexander Vindman, Foreign Affairs, 7 Dec. 2020

Economists caution that a straightforward reversion to historical economic conditions is probably not realistic. —Tobias Burns, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin reversion-, reversio act of returning, from revertere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

reversion

noun

re·​ver·​sion ri-ˈvər-zhən 

1

: a right of future possession (as of property or a title)

2

a

: an act or the process of returning (as to an earlier condition)

b

: a product of reversion

3

: an act or instance of turning the opposite way : the state of being so turned

Medical Definition

reversion

noun

re·​ver·​sion ri-ˈvər-zhən, -shən 

1

a

: an act or the process of returning (as to a former condition)

b

: a return toward an ancestral type or condition : reappearance of an ancestral character

2

: a product of reversion

specifically : an organism with an atavistic character

Legal Definition

reversion

noun

re·​ver·​sion ri-ˈvər-zhən 

1

: the returning of an estate upon its termination to the former owner or to his or her successor in interest

2

a

: the present vested interest in the residue of an estate that remains in its owner after the grant therefrom of a lesser estate (as a life estate) and that will commence in possession by operation of law upon termination of the lesser estate

b

: the future interest in property left in a grantor or his or her successor in interest that is not subject to a condition precedent compare possibility of reverter, remainder

reversionary

-zhə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

Etymology

Anglo-French, from Middle French, from Latin reversio act of turning back, from revertere to turn back