commutation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very low-frequencyFormal, Technical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “commutation” mean?
The act or process of substituting one thing for another, especially a reduction in severity (as of a punishment).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or process of substituting one thing for another, especially a reduction in severity (as of a punishment).
In mathematics and engineering, the property of operations where changing the order of operands does not change the result. In linguistics, a substitution test used in phonology and semantics to determine the distinctive function of a unit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The legal process and terminology are virtually identical.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in general use in both varieties, but slightly more common in American media due to coverage of the criminal justice system.
Grammar
How to Use “commutation” in a Sentence
commutation of [NP]commutation from [NP] to [NP]commutation for [NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “commutation” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- commutative operation
American English
- commutative property
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May refer to commuting a pension (converting it into a lump sum).
Academic
Common in Linguistics (phonological analysis), Mathematics (commutative algebra), and Electrical Engineering (commutation of current).
Everyday
Extremely rare. Mostly encountered in news about criminal justice.
Technical
Precise term in legal, mathematical, and engineering contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “commutation”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “commutation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commutation”
- Using 'commutation' to mean 'daily travel to work' (that is 'commuting').
- Confusing 'commutation' with 'communication' in speech/writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A pardon forgives the crime and clears the record, while a commutation only reduces the severity of the punishment; the conviction remains.
It is highly formal and specific. In everyday situations, words like 'reduction', 'swap', or 'change' are more appropriate.
It's a method where one sound in a word is swapped for another to see if the meaning changes (e.g., pat vs. bat), proving they are distinct phonemes.
The related verb is 'commute'. In law, a sentence is 'commuted'. In mathematics, operations 'commute'.
The act or process of substituting one thing for another, especially a reduction in severity (as of a punishment).
Commutation is usually formal, technical, academic in register.
Commutation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒm.juˈteɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑː.mjuˈteɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COMMUTER changing their route; COMMUTATION involves a CHANGE (of a sentence or order).
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE/QUANTITY IS A JOURNEY (sentence commutation shortens the 'journey' of a penalty).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'commutation' LEAST likely to be used?