Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Evolution has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage)
"the development of his ideas took many years"
"the evolution of Greek civilization"
"the slow development of her skill as a writer"
(biology) the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms
"Paleontologists study fossil records to understand the evolution of early mammals from their reptilian ancestors."
A change of position.
"The car's evolution over the hill brought it into view just in time to avoid the accident."
A manoeuvre of troops or ships.
"The general ordered an evolution of his fleet to create a defensive perimeter around the harbor entrance."
In plain English: Evolution is the slow process by which living things change over many generations to become better suited for their environment.
"Natural selection drives the evolution of species over thousands of years."
Usage: While evolution can technically refer to a change in position or condition, it almost always describes the gradual development of species over time through natural selection. Use this term when discussing biological changes across generations rather than simple shifts in location or status.
The word evolution comes from the Latin ēvolūtiō, which originally meant "the act of unrolling or unfolding a book." It entered English through this sense of gradually opening out before taking on its modern biological meaning.