sexual selection: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-High (in biological/evolutionary contexts)Scientific/Academic
Quick answer
What does “sexual selection” mean?
An evolutionary process where individuals of one sex choose mates based on specific traits, and competition for mates occurs between individuals of the same sex, leading to the development of certain physical or behavioral characteristics.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An evolutionary process where individuals of one sex choose mates based on specific traits, and competition for mates occurs between individuals of the same sex, leading to the development of certain physical or behavioral characteristics.
The theory explaining the evolution of traits that increase an individual's chances of mating but may not necessarily aid survival, such as the peacock's tail or complex bird songs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or usage differences. Spelling of related terms follows regional conventions (e.g., 'behaviour' vs. 'behavior').
Connotations
Purely scientific term in both dialects. No significant connotative difference.
Frequency
Equally common in academic evolutionary biology in both the UK and US. Extremely rare in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “sexual selection” in a Sentence
be driven by [noun phrase]act through [noun phrase]explain [noun phrase]be a result of [noun phrase]lead to [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sexual selection” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The trait was sexually selected.
- Females sexually select for brighter plumage.
American English
- The trait was sexually selected.
- Females sexually select for brighter plumage.
adverb
British English
- The feature evolved sexually selectively.
American English
- The trait was sexually selectively favored.
adjective
British English
- sexually-selected characteristics
- sexual selection pressures
American English
- sexually selected characteristics
- sexual selection pressures
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
A core term in evolutionary biology, ecology, and psychology. Used in research papers, textbooks, and lectures.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used in popular science discussions or documentaries about animal behavior.
Technical
Specific and precise meaning in evolutionary theory. Used in technical writing in biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sexual selection”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sexual selection”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sexual selection”
- Using it interchangeably with 'natural selection'.
- Thinking it only refers to mate choice, ignoring intrasexual competition.
- Applying it in non-biological contexts where it is not appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Charles Darwin first formally developed and described the theory in his 1871 book 'The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex'.
Intrasexual selection involves competition within one sex (usually males fighting other males). Intersexual selection involves mate choice, typically by one sex (often females) for attractive traits in the other.
Yes, evolutionary psychologists and biologists apply the principles of sexual selection to hypothesise about the evolution of certain human traits, such as facial symmetry, body shape preferences, and displays of resources. However, human mate choice is complex and influenced by many cultural and social factors.
Yes. This is a key point. Traits like the peacock's heavy, conspicuous tail can make individuals more vulnerable to predators. They evolve because the reproductive advantage (attracting more mates) outweighs the survival cost.
An evolutionary process where individuals of one sex choose mates based on specific traits, and competition for mates occurs between individuals of the same sex, leading to the development of certain physical or behavioral characteristics.
Sexual selection is usually scientific/academic in register.
Sexual selection: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛkʃuəl sɪˈlɛkʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛkʃuəl səˈlɛkʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Sex' + 'Selection'. It's about selecting a mate for sex/reproduction, not about surviving predators or finding food.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MATING MARKET (e.g., "In the mating market, sexual selection favors the most attractive traits.")
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a primary mechanism of sexual selection?