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Definition of darwin

darwin

/ˈdɑːrwɪn/
Dar · win
Plural:Darwins
•
Adjective:Darwinian
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darwin Lexical Profile

• noun

1

Charles Darwin (1809–1882), the influential English naturalist, geologist, and biologist widely recognized for his foundational contributions to the science of evolution and the theory of natural selection.

Example

"The publication of 'On the Origin of Species' cemented Darwin as a monumental figure in modern biology."

2

Australian The capital city of the Northern Territory of Australia, situated on the Timor Sea and known for its tropical climate, multicultural population, and historical significance during World War II.

3

A unit of evolutionary change defined as an e-fold (approximately 2.718) alteration in a morphological trait over one million years, named in honor of Charles Darwin.

Example

"The paleontologists measured the minute structural changes in the fossil record, calculating the organism's rate of adaptation in darwins."

• Nearby Words

darter
dartfish
darts
darwin
darwin falls
darwin tulip
darwinian

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Old English given name 'Deorwine', meaning 'dear friend'. It gained global prominence as a surname due to the 19th-century English naturalist Charles Darwin, subsequently lending its name to geographical locations and scientific concepts.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Darwin. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/darwin
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