artificial selection: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Academic, Scientific, Technical
Quick answer
What does “artificial selection” mean?
The process by which humans deliberately choose and breed plants or animals with specific desirable traits to produce offspring with those traits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process by which humans deliberately choose and breed plants or animals with specific desirable traits to produce offspring with those traits.
Any human-directed process of choosing specific variants within a population, often contrasted with natural selection. Can be applied metaphorically to cultural or technological evolution where human choice drives change.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling follows national conventions (e.g., 'breed' vs 'breeding' usage patterns).
Connotations
Identical technical meaning. In popular discourse, UK usage may more frequently reference Darwin's original contrast; US usage may more often reference agricultural applications.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK academic biology texts historically, but currently comparable.
Grammar
How to Use “artificial selection” in a Sentence
[Subject] practices artificial selection on [object][Subject] is the result of artificial selectionArtificial selection for [trait]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “artificial selection” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Farmers have artificially selected maize for higher yields for centuries.
- The breeder is artificially selecting for a calmer temperament in the spaniels.
American English
- Researchers artificially selected bacteria for antibiotic resistance in the lab.
- They artificially selected tomatoes that could ripen faster.
adverb
British English
- The trait was developed artificially, through careful selection over generations.
- The population evolved artificially rather than naturally.
American English
- These dogs were bred artificially for specific show standards.
- The corn was modified artificially via selective breeding.
adjective
British English
- The artificial selection process produced a wheat variety resistant to rust.
- Artificial selection pressures differ from natural ones.
American English
- Artificial selection methods have changed dramatically with genetic mapping.
- The artificial selection program focused on milk production.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in agricultural biotechnology or pedigree animal industries.
Academic
Common in biology, genetics, evolutionary theory, and anthropology texts.
Everyday
Uncommon; appears in popular science discussions about GMOs, dog breeds, or food origins.
Technical
Standard term in genetics, animal husbandry, plant breeding, and conservation biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “artificial selection”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “artificial selection”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “artificial selection”
- Using 'artificial selection' interchangeably with 'genetic modification' (GMOs involve direct gene manipulation).
- Confusing the agent (humans in artificial selection vs environment in natural selection).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Artificial selection involves choosing existing variants to breed together over generations. Genetic engineering directly alters an organism's DNA in a lab.
For thousands of years, since the dawn of agriculture and animal domestication, long before the science of genetics was understood.
By definition, no. The term specifies human agency. Similar processes driven by other species (e.g., insects pollinating specific flowers) are usually called 'mutualistic selection' or similar.
It often reduces genetic diversity, which can make populations more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes, and can cause welfare issues if selected traits harm the organism's health.
The process by which humans deliberately choose and breed plants or animals with specific desirable traits to produce offspring with those traits.
Artificial selection is usually academic, scientific, technical in register.
Artificial selection: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃl sɪˈlɛkʃn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑːrtɪˈfɪʃl sɪˈlɛkʃn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Playing God' with genes (informal, pejorative reference to artificial selection)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ARTIFICIAL SELECTION: A Farmer Intentionally Raises The Ideal Cows, Selecting Each Lovely Cow To Improve Offspring Naturally.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN AS BREEDER/GARDENER (directing evolution); NATURE AS RAW MATERIAL (to be shaped).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinguishing factor of artificial selection?