adjective Relating to biological evolution or the theory of evolution.
- The evolutionary link between birds and dinosaurs fascinates many young students.
- The museum explains the evolutionary changes that let giraffes reach high leaves.
- Scientists study the evolutionary history of whales.
- The evolutionary history of marine mammals includes land-dwelling ancestors.
adjective Involving gradual development rather than sudden, dramatic change.
- The basic elements of an evolutionary growth theory are discussed in Section II.
— , Neoclassical vs. Evolutionary Theories of Economic Growth: Critique and Prospectus (1974)
- The new phone design is evolutionary, not revolutionary, with only small improvements.
- Reform came through evolutionary steps, each one a modest change to the rules.
- The company took an evolutionary approach to updating its product, making small changes over years.
