devolution

American  

[dev-uh-loo-shuhn, dee-vuh-] / ˌdɛv əˈlu ʃən, ˈdi və- /

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.

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devolution British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• devolutionary adjective
• devolutionist noun

Etymology

Origin of devolution

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

Example Sentences

The conference this weekend is Alliance's third since devolution was restored in February 2024 following a two-year hiatus.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

The UK government said it is "fully committed to devolution and continue to work in genuine partnership with devolved governments".

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

"And so again, we've seen the devolution of the discourse. How do we come back from a place that we have fallen into?"

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

But Stevens said she did not agree with the Welsh government on the devolution of the Crown Estate.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

But everything depends on how far that devolution is to be carried.

From The New Irish Constitution by Morgan, J. H.

Related Words

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