natural selection
noun
: a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment
Examples of natural selection in a Sentence
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But in 2004, a Dover, Penn., school board member objected to the textbook and pushed to replace it with one that promotes intelligent design — the belief that certain features of life are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than natural selection.
—
Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 July 2025
Dennis Lemma, the chair of the state task force on opioid abuse, said some people tell him overdose deaths are nothing more than natural selection at work.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025
His theory proposed that species evolved through natural selection, a process by which advantageous traits became more common over generations.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
New Songs, New Species When birds need to adapt to new food sources, beak size can change within a few generations due to natural selection.
—Maja Mielke, JSTOR Daily, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for natural selection
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Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 July 2025
Dennis Lemma, the chair of the state task force on opioid abuse, said some people tell him overdose deaths are nothing more than natural selection at work.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025
His theory proposed that species evolved through natural selection, a process by which advantageous traits became more common over generations.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
New Songs, New Species When birds need to adapt to new food sources, beak size can change within a few generations due to natural selection.
—Maja Mielke, JSTOR Daily, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for natural selection
Cite this Entry
“Natural selection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural%20selection. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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