Selection — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /sə-ˈlek-shən/ se·lec·tion

Meaning & Definition of Selection

Selection (noun)

  1. the act or process of selecting, the state of being selected
  2. one that is selected, choice; also, a collection of selected things
  3. a natural or artificial process that results or tends to result in the survival and propagation of some individuals or organisms but not of others with the result that the inherited traits of the survivors are perpetuated

Selection (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the act or process of selecting

    "his selection of a running mate was a long, tedious affair"

    similar: choice, choosing, election, picking, selecting
    related: option, appointment, assignment, designation, naming, nomination, decision

  2. a person or thing that is chosen

    "our selection was the third entrant in the dog show"

    similar: bet, choice, chosen, pick
    related: favorite, like, liking, preference, elective, option, appointment, designation, nomination, appointee, candidate, nominee, selectee, preselection

  3. the power, right, or opportunity to choose

    "the inn's table d'hôte is excellent, but there's very limited selection"

    similar: alternative, choice, discretion, druthers (dialect), election, liberty, option, pick, preference, volition, way
    related: determination, free will, will, say, voice, vote, inclination, liking, partiality, penchant, predilection, proclivity, propensity, tendency, discernment, judgment, perspicacity
    near: coercion, duress, force, duty, obligation, Hobson's choice

  4. a number of things selected from a group to stand for the whole

    "a selection of the company's latest line of products for display at the trade show"

    similar: cross section, sample, sampler, sampling, slice
    related: case, example, exemplar, exemplification, illustration, instance, representative, specimen, archetype, classic, locus classicus, paradigm, prototype, microcosm

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Selection

The most common words with a similar meaning to Selection:

Dialect: druthers
choice, choosing, election, picking, selecting, bet, chosen, pick, alternative, discretion, liberty, option, preference, volition, way, cross section, sample, sampler, sampling, slice

Related Words for Selection

appointment, assignment, designation, naming, nomination, decision, favorite, like, liking, elective, appointee, candidate, nominee, selectee, preselection, determination, free will, will, say, voice, vote, inclination, partiality, penchant, predilection, proclivity, propensity, tendency, discernment, judgment

Near Antonyms of Selection

coercion, duress, force, duty, obligation, Hobson's choice

Origin & Etymology of Selection

First known use: 1583

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Selection

Words & Phrases Containing Selection

artificial selection, kin selection, natural selection, sexual selection, make a/one's selection

Frequently Asked Questions about Selection

What does "Selection" mean?

"Selection" means the act or process of selecting, the state of being selected. As a noun, it is defined as: the act or process of selecting, the state of being selected. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Selection"?

Other words for "Selection" include choice, choosing, election, picking, selecting, bet, chosen and pick. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Selection" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Selection"?

There are 66 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Selection". Common alternatives include choice, choosing, election, picking, selecting, bet, chosen, pick, alternative and discretion.

How do you use "Selection" in a sentence?

Examples of "Selection" in a sentence: "his selection of a running mate was a long, tedious affair"; "our selection was the third entrant in the dog show"; "the inn's table d'hôte is excellent, but there's very limited selection".

Is "Selection" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Selection" is a noun.

Is "Selection" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Selection" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Selection"?

"Selection" is pronounced /sə-ˈlek-shən/ and divided into syllables as se·lec·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Selection"?

First known use: 1583.