natural selection

[nach-er-uhl si-lek-shuhn, nach-ruhl] / ˈnætʃ ər əl sɪˈlɛk ʃən, ˈnætʃ rəl /

NOUN

evolutionary theory

Synonyms

WEAK

Darwinian theory Darwinism adaptation artificial selection biological evolution evolution evolutionism law of the jungle natural law phylogeny social Darwinism social evolution survival of the fittest theory of evolution

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Charles Darwin, with his ideas of undirected variation and natural selection, described what was really happening.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Inside cells, many variations of DNA, RNA, and proteins arise, and natural selection favors the organisms that function most effectively.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

That was assumed to be the result of a natural selection.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

The theoretical approach, which studies human behavior, cognition and emotions as products of natural selection, depicts relationship formation as sales-like, highly gendered and strategy-based.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

Darwin himself could scarcely have found a better example of the operation of natural selection than is provided by the way the mechanism of resistance operates.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

natural selection

Example Sentences

Related Words