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

Explanation

Devolution is a process of decline. Something has gone from great to good, good to bad, or excellent all the way to horrible. If you know that evolution refers to how smaller or lesser creatures evolved into more complex beings, than you have a great clue to what devolution means. When devolution occurs, things have gone in a negative direction. If a rich person loses all their money, that's devolution. If a championship basketball team suddenly has a losing record, that's devolution. This word also refers to a central government delegating authority to a smaller body, such as a regional government.

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

"In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, there are clearly reserved areas of governmental responsibilities and this government is committed to upholding this devolution settlement with mutual respect and partnership."

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

It would be a complicated move, because this ancient office - which dates back to 1478 - is knitted into the devolution settlement itself.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 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

He offers federal devolution as the solution of the Irish question.

From Feminism and Sex-Extinction by Kenealy, Arabella

Related Words

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