coevolution
noun
co·evo·lu·tion
ˌkō-ˌe-və-ˈlü-shən 
also -ˌē-və-
: evolution involving successive changes in two or more ecologically interdependent species (as of a plant and its pollinators) that affect their interactions
Examples of coevolution in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Friesen, who studies the coevolution of plants and rhizobia, writes that just one gram of plant tissue harbors between 10 million and 10 billion endophytic bacteria alone.
—
Anna Marija Helt, JSTOR Daily, 17 Sep. 2025
However, despite the appeal of this coevolution hypothesis, the evidence remains largely circumstantial.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025
Our success in coevolution — our success as a productive society — is only as good as the strength of the bonds with other individuals and species.
—Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
Canine work also includes some of the partnerships that have been the backbone of human-dog coevolution, such as guarding, herding, hunting, and acting as sentry.
—Jessica Pierce, TIME, 15 Dec. 2024
The discovery surprised researchers, who didn’t expect the high degree of coevolution between the mother’s microbiome and the baby’s to go on for so long after birth.
—Quanta Magazine, 19 Dec. 2023
Li is currently the founding codirector of Stanford’s Institute of Human-Centered AI (HAI), whose very name is a plea for cooperation, if not coevolution, between people and intelligent machines.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 10 Nov. 2023
This cultural-genetic coevolution stacked the deck in human society so that cooperation became the smart move rather than a sucker’s choice.
—Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2023
The Marine Corps leadership clearly believes in the power of new weaponry but fails to appreciate the dynamic of war whereby every innovation inspires a countermeasure — and that countermeasure then inspires a counter-countermeasure, in a cycle of continuous coevolution.
—John F. Schmitt, National Review, 2 Apr. 2022
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Anna Marija Helt, JSTOR Daily, 17 Sep. 2025
However, despite the appeal of this coevolution hypothesis, the evidence remains largely circumstantial.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025
Our success in coevolution — our success as a productive society — is only as good as the strength of the bonds with other individuals and species.
—Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
Canine work also includes some of the partnerships that have been the backbone of human-dog coevolution, such as guarding, herding, hunting, and acting as sentry.
—Jessica Pierce, TIME, 15 Dec. 2024
The discovery surprised researchers, who didn’t expect the high degree of coevolution between the mother’s microbiome and the baby’s to go on for so long after birth.
—Quanta Magazine, 19 Dec. 2023
Li is currently the founding codirector of Stanford’s Institute of Human-Centered AI (HAI), whose very name is a plea for cooperation, if not coevolution, between people and intelligent machines.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 10 Nov. 2023
This cultural-genetic coevolution stacked the deck in human society so that cooperation became the smart move rather than a sucker’s choice.
—Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2023
The Marine Corps leadership clearly believes in the power of new weaponry but fails to appreciate the dynamic of war whereby every innovation inspires a countermeasure — and that countermeasure then inspires a counter-countermeasure, in a cycle of continuous coevolution.
—John F. Schmitt, National Review, 2 Apr. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Coevolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coevolution. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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coevolution
noun
co·evo·lu·tion
ˌkō-ˌev-ə-ˈlü-shən
-ˌē-və-
: evolution occurring in two interdependent species (as a flowering plant and a pollinator) in which long-term adaptive changes are influenced by their close interactions
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