devolution

[ dev-uh-loo-shuhnor, especially British, dee-vuh- ]

noun

1. the act or fact of devolving; passage onward from stage to stage.
2. the passing on to a successor of an unexercised right.
3. Law. the passing of property from one to another, as by hereditary succession.
4. Biology. degeneration.
5. the transfer of power or authority from a central government to a local government.

devolution

/ ˌdiːvəˈluːʃən /

noun

1. the act, fact, or result of devolving
2. a passing onwards or downwards from one stage to another
3. another word for degeneration
4. a transfer or allocation of authority, esp from a central government to regional governments or particular interests

Derived Forms

• ˌdevoˈlutionist, nounadjective
• ˌdevoˈlutionary, adjective

Other Words From

• devo·lution·ary adjective noun
• devo·lution·ist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devolution¹

1535–45; (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin dēvolūtiōn- (stem of dēvolūtiō ) a rolling down, equivalent to Latin dēvolūt ( us ) rolled down (past participle of dēvolvere; devolve ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of devolution¹

C16: from Medieval Latin dēvolūtiō a rolling down, from Latin dēvolvere to roll down, sink into; see devolve

Example Sentences

One of Prescott's passions was devolution for England's regions - to follow Scotland and Wales - though the elected regional assemblies he envisaged would have had fewer powers.

From BBC

As devolution rose and fell, he was a permanent fixture on the UTV evening news programme.

From BBC

The Welsh government will receive an extra £1.7bn next April, in what the Labour chancellor called the "largest real-terms funding increase since devolution".

From BBC

Reeves, formally setting out her spending plans for the first time, said it would be the largest real-terms funding settlement since devolution.

From BBC

"He took devolution, he supported devolution, but I think he took a very pragmatic approach and I think that is what has been missing from in the period he left office in 2014."

From BBC

Related Words

• deterioration
• downturn
• drop
• failure
• fall
• recession
• slump
• weakening