ev ‧ o ‧ lu ‧ tion ‧ a ‧ ry AC /ˌiːvəˈluːʃən ə ri◂, ˌevə- $ ˌevəˈluːʃəneri◂/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ evolve ; noun : ↑ evolution ; adjective : ↑ evolutionary ]
1 . relating to the way in which plants and animals develop and change gradually over a long period of time:
the evolutionary development of birds
Some scientists have rejected evolutionary theory.
2 . relating to the way in which ideas or situations gradually change and develop over a long period of time:
He is in favour of gradual, evolutionary social change.