1 involution | Definition of involution
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involution

noun
in·​vo·​lu·​tion | \ ËŒin-vÉ™-ˈlü-shÉ™n How to pronounce involution (audio) \

Definition of involution

1a(1) : the act or an instance of enfolding or entangling : involvement
(2) : an involved grammatical construction usually characterized by the insertion of clauses between the subject and predicate
b : complexity, intricacy
2 : exponentiation
3a : an inward curvature or penetration
b : the formation of a gastrula by ingrowth of cells formed at the dorsal lip
4 : a shrinking or return to a former size
5 : the regressive alterations of a body or its parts characteristic of the aging process skeletal involution due to loss of estrogens at menopause
Other Words from involution Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about involution

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Other Words from involution

involutional \ ËŒin-​vÉ™-​ˈlü-​shnÉ™l How to pronounce involutional (audio) , -​shÉ™-​nᵊl \ adjective

Examples of involution in a Sentence

the involution of the thriller's plot made it hard to follow

Recent Examples on the Web

 Notice that this is an involution as = ∂. In addition, the only self-conjugate itinerary is a string of O’s. — Nicholas Diaco, Scientific American, "Privacy and Counterfeit Coins," 20 Mar. 2018 The entire process is known as involution of the uterus. — Jennifer Hansen, WIRED, "My Incredible Shrinking Uterus," 6 Oct. 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'involution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of involution

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

History and Etymology for involution

Latin involution-, involutio, from involvere

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More Definitions for involution

involution

noun
in·​vo·​lu·​tion | \ ËŒin-vÉ™-ˈlü-shÉ™n How to pronounce involution (audio) \

Medical Definition of involution

1a : an inward curvature or penetration
b : the formation of a gastrula by ingrowth of cells formed at the dorsal lip
2 : a shrinking or return to a former size involution of the uterus after pregnancy
3 : the regressive alterations of a body or its parts characteristic of the aging process specifically : decline marked by a decrease of bodily vigor and in women by menopause

More from Merriam-Webster on involution

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with involution

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for involution

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about involution

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