DEVOLUTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does devolution mean? 

• DEVOLUTION (noun)
  The noun DEVOLUTION has 2 senses:

1. the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality

2. the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government)

  Familiarity information: DEVOLUTION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEVOLUTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

degeneration; devolution

Hypernyms ("devolution" is a kind of...):

physical process; process (a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "devolution"):

attack (the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent))

obsolescence (the process of becoming obsolete; falling into disuse or becoming out of date)

macular degeneration (eye disease caused by degeneration of the cells of the macula lutea and results in blurred vision; can cause blindness)

Antonym:

evolution (a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage))

Sense 2

Meaning:

The delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

devolution; devolvement

Hypernyms ("devolution" is a kind of...):

delegating; delegation; deputation; relegating; relegation (authorizing subordinates to make certain decisions)

Domain category:

administration; governance; governing; government; government activity (the act of governing; exercising authority)

Derivation:

devolve (pass on or delegate to another)