permutation
noun
Did you know?
Permutation has not changed all that much since it was borrowed into Middle English from Anglo-French as permutacioun, meaning "exchange, transformation." Permutacioun traces back to the Latin verb permutare, meaning "to change thoroughly, exchange," and ultimately derives from the Latin mutare, "to change." Other descendants of mutare in English include commute, mutant, and mutual. Permutation also has a specific application in the field of mathematics relating to the ordering of a given set of objects. For example, permutations of items a, b, and c are abc, acb, bac, etc.
Examples of permutation in a Sentence
Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
The rule created a series of permutations on tire strategy, forcing teams to rethink their approaches.
—Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 25 May 2025
There are multiple permutations, but what is certain is that the next pope will leave his own mark.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 7 May 2025
My job is to show the players, and the people at home, the possible future permutations of their decisions and then step back and not lead the witness.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for permutation
Cite this Entry
“Permutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permutation. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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permutation
noun
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