Definition of "devolution" in English

noun

1. A rolling down.

2. A descent, especially one that passes through a series of revolutions, or by succession.

3. The transference of a right to a successor, or of a power from one body to another.

4. (derogatory) Degeneration.

   • It is quite disheartening to witness the devolution of our nation's political discourse over the past several years.

5. (government) The transfer of some powers and the delegation of some functions from a central government to local government (e.g. from the U.K. parliament to Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly).

   • The question of whether England should receive devolution like Scotland and Wales have has dogged British politics for years.