sexual selection

noun

: natural selection for characters that confer success in competition for a mate as distinguished from competition with other species

also : the choice of a mate based on a preference for certain characteristics (such as color or bird song)

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sexual selection

noun

: natural selection for characters that confer success in competition for a mate as distinguished from competition with other species

also : the choice of a mate based on a preference for certain characteristics (as color or bird song)