selection

noun

se·​lec·​tion sə-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce selection (audio)
Synonyms of selection
1
: the act or process of selecting : the state of being selected
2
: one that is selected : choice
also : a collection of selected things
3
: a natural or artificial process that results or tends to result in the survival and propagation of some individuals or organisms but not of others with the result that the inherited traits of the survivors are perpetuated compare darwinism, natural selection

Synonyms of selection

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for selection

choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen.

choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Examples of selection in a Sentence

The selection of the best poem was difficult. his selection of a running mate was a long, tedious affair
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For Castellanos, meanwhile, the All-American Game provides a chance to remain connected to baseball while passing along lessons from a 15-year major league career that included two All-Star selections and a World Series appearance. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Cartoonists on Dolly Parton's life and legacy Join 350,000+ subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 29 Aug. 2026 That’s just a small selection of guys who enjoyed huge success and went on the NFL. — Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2026 The Chiefs’ next two draft selections after Delane — defensive linemen Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas — put together solid performances. — Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for selection

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of selection was in 1583

Phrases Containing selection

Rhymes for selection

See All Rhymes for selection

Browse Nearby Words

selectee
selection
selection forest
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Selection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selection. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

selection

noun
se·​lec·​tion sə-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce selection (audio)
1
: the act of selecting : the state of being selected
selection of the best poem was difficult
cheered my selection as athlete of the year
2
a
: one that is selected : choice
b
: a collection of selected things
3
: any natural or artificial process that tends to favor the survival and reproduction of some individuals but not of others with the result that only the inherited characteristics of the favored individuals continue to be passed on

Medical Definition

selection

noun
se·​lec·​tion sə-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce selection (audio)
: a natural or artificial process that results or tends to result in the survival and propagation of some individuals or organisms but not of others with the result that the inherited traits of the survivors are perpetuated compare darwinism, natural selection

More from Merriam-Webster on selection

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about selection

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All