5 syllables: co, e, vo, lu, tion. Stress on lu.
koh-ee-vuh-LOO-shuhn
/koʊiːvəˈluːʃən/
coevolution is pronounced koh-ee-vuh-LOO-shuhn (/koʊiːvəˈluːʃən/). It has five syllables (co-e-vo-lu-tion), with the stress on "lu". coevolution is the joint evolution of two or more species or entities that exert reciprocal selective pressures on each other, shaping traits over generations. It describes how adaptations in one party drive counter-adaptations in another, often seen in predator–prey, mutualism, and host–parasite dynamics. The term combines co- (together) with evolution and is used across biology, ecology, and related fields.
coevolution is the joint evolution of two or more species or entities that exert reciprocal selective pressures on each other, shaping traits over generations. It describes how adaptations in one party drive counter-adaptations in another, often seen in predator–prey, mutualism, and host–parasite dynamics. The term combines co- (together) with evolution and is used across biology, ecology, and related fields.
"The orchids and their insect pollinators show clear coevolution, with flower shapes matching the moths' long proboscises."
"Researchers study coevolution between bacteria and bacteriophages to understand resistance and counter-resistance dynamics."
"In agriculture, crop pests and their natural enemies engage in coevolution, influencing sustainable pest management strategies."
Pronounce as /ˌkoʊ.iˌvɒˈluː.ʃən/ (US) or /ˌkəʊ.iˌvɒˈluː.ʃən/ (UK). The main stress pattern is bi-syllabic with tertiary stress on the 'luː' syllable: co-e-vou-tion, but the natural rhythm emphasizes the middle-late portion: co-evo-lution. Start with a clear /koʊ/ or /kəʊ/, then /ɪ/ or silent in rapid speech, then /vɒˈluː/ followed by /ʃən/. Listen for the secondary stress on the third syllable in careful speech.
Common errors: misplacing stress on the wrong syllable (placing it on 'co' or 'evo' instead of 'luː'), and running together syllables too quickly so /ɪə/ or /ɪo/ blends into /ɔɪ/. Also neglecting the final schwa /ə/ in 'tion.' Correction: practice as four clearly enunciated syllables: /koʊ/ - /i/ - /vɒ/ - /luː/ - /ʃən/? Actually, the sequence is /ˌkoʊ.iˌvɒˈluː.ʃən/. Emphasize the 'luː' with a slight pause before /ʃən/. Ensure the /v/ is voiced and not a /f/ or /β/ in rapid speech.
US tends to give /ˌkoʊ.iˌvɒˈluː.ʃən/ with a rhotic vowel in 'co' and clear /v/. UK often uses /ˌkəʊ.iˌvɒˈluː.ʃən/ with less rhoticity in rapid speech and a shorter /ə/ in the first syllable. Australian can be similar to UK but with slightly broader vowel qualities and clipped second syllable. In all, the 'co' starts with a rounded vowel, 'evolution' portion emphasizes /ɒˈluː/ before the final /ʃən/.
The difficulty comes from combining two multisyllabic morphemes with multiple vowel qualities and a sequence of unstressed and stressed syllables. The /ˌkoʊ.i/ onset requires a connected, rounded /oʊ/ then a quick /i/; the middle /ˈvɒː/ carries a stressed O-like vowel; the final /luː.ʃən/ includes a syllabic /ʃən/ progression. Maintaining the rhythm of secondary to primary stresses while not diluting the /v/ or the /ʃ/ is challenging for non-native speakers.
The unique feature is the sequence of two clear vowels in succession: /koʊ/ + /i/ before the consonant /v/. The /i/ is often reduced in fast speech, but here it remains audible to avoid confusion with similar terms like coevolutionary. Additionally, the primary stress is on the third morpheme, which may be less intuitive for learners who expect stress to land on the first or second syllable. Focus on preserving the /i/ between /oʊ/ and /v/ and the final /ʃən/.
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The word coevolution derives from Latin co- ‘together’ + eo- root from evolution, with -volution from Latin volutio ‘a turning, rolling,’ itself from volvere ‘to roll’ or turn. The term entered scientific usage in the 20th century to describe reciprocal evolutionary changes between interacting species. Early usage framed mutual adaptation, with ecologists like Ehrlich and Raven popularizing concepts of coevolution in host–parasite and plant–pollinator contexts. The phrase emerged to capture processes not fully explained by single-lineage evolution, emphasizing interdependence. The construction co- evolution literally means ‘evolution together,’ distinct from parallel or sequential adaptation. First known uses appear in mid-20th-century scientific literature, later proliferating in textbooks and journals as a standard concept in evolutionary biology. Today, coevolution encompasses reciprocal selective pressures across ecosystems, including mutualistic, antagonistic, and combinatorial interactions, with examples in insects and plants, parasites and hosts, and microbial communities. In popular science, it’s often cited as a driver of biodiversity and ecological complexity, illustrating how interdependent species shape each other’s evolutionary trajectories over time.
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Words that rhyme with "coevolution"
-ion sounds
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