noun
B1
Intermediate
selection
si-LEK-shən
Selection (noun) means the act of choosing one or more things or people from a larger group. Example: “The selection of a new head teacher took three months.”
noun
1
The act of choosing one or more things or people from a larger group.
"The selection of a new head teacher took three months."
"Selection for the squad is based purely on form."
2
The thing or set of things chosen, or the range available to choose from.
"The shop carries a wide selection of imported cheeses."
"Her selection for the recital was a Chopin nocturne."
3
biology In biology, the process by which some organisms survive and reproduce more successfully than others, so that their traits become more common in a population.
"Natural selection favours moths whose colouring matches the bark."
"Artificial selection produced every modern breed of dog."
How to use selection
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishChoosing something, or the things you have to choose from.
When to use it
Neutral; the biological sense is technical.
Memory tip
Use a selection of before a plural noun: a selection of books, not a selection of book.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a wide selection
selection process
natural selection
selection criteria
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The _____ of a new head teacher took three months.
Etymology
From Latin selectio, from seligere 'to choose out', from se- 'apart' and legere 'to gather, choose'.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for selection
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
titration
See all rhymes for selection →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between selection and choice?
They overlap heavily. Selection tends to describe a deliberate process, often formal or systematic, and the group of items available; choice emphasises the decision itself and the freedom to make it. A shop has a good selection, but you make your choice.
What is natural selection in simple terms?
Individuals in a population vary, some of that variation is inherited, and the variants that help an organism survive and reproduce get passed on more often. Over many generations this shifts the whole population, which is how species adapt to their environment.
Is selection countable or uncountable?
Both. Uncountable when it means the process ('selection is competitive'), countable when it means the item or set chosen ('a fine selection of wines', 'her three selections').
What is the meaning of selection?
"selection" (noun) means the act of choosing one or more things or people from a larger group.
