A permutation is one of the ways in which a number of things can be ordered or arranged.
Variation among humans is limited to the possible permutations of our genes. [+ of]
Synonyms: transformation, change, shift, variation More Synonyms of permutation
permutation in British English
(ˌpɜːmjʊˈteɪʃən)
noun
1. mathematics
a.
an ordered arrangement of the numbers, terms, etc, of a set into specified groups
the permutations of a, b, and c, taken two at a time, are ab, ba, ac, ca, bc, cb
b.
a group formed in this way. The number of permutations of n objects taken r at a time is n!/(n–r)!
Symbol: nPr. Compare combination (sense 6)
2.
a combination of items made by reordering
3.
an alteration; transformation
4.
a fixed combination for selections of results on football pools
Usually shortened to: perm
Derived forms
permutational (ˌpermuˈtational)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Latin permūtātiō, from permūtāre to change thoroughly; see mutation
permutation in American English
(ˌpɜrmjuˈteɪʃən)
noun
1.
any radical alteration; total transformation
2.
a.
a complete rearrangement, esp. by interchanging
b. Ancient Mathematics
any of the total number of groupings, or subsets, into which a group, or set, of elements can be arranged in a particular order: the permutations of A, B, and C taken two at a time are AB, BA, AC, CA, BC, CB
see also combination
Derived forms
permutational (ˌpermuˈtational)
adjective
Word origin
ME permutacion < MFr < L permutatio < permutare: see permute
Examples of 'permutation' in a sentence
permutation
I heard many of them, in various permutations.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I heard many of them, in various permutations.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Anything less than a victory and the permutations were endless.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
So many permutations are possible for either team.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Four matches remain in the group and the permutations are many.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But its permutations are many and wonderful.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Because of the permutations it was different.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There are literally tens of thousands of combinations and permutations.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The permutations and combinations of these molecules are capable of endless elaboration.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
And the number of combinations and permutations is so large as to approach infinity.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
The case studies offered here convey a sense of the range of possible permutations.
The Times Literary Supplement (2008)
Scratch the surface of this troubling story and it has three possible permutations.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
That his endless permutations jar the sensibilities of lavishly paid footballers is hardly in itself a cause for complaint.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It has the potential for supplying us with more combinations and permutations of things than we can readily imagine.
Kantrow, Alan M. The Constraints of Corporate Tradition (1987)
Wasps could go through with as little as a losing bonus point next weekend and there are various other permutations.
The Sun (2007)
It will also seriously test the potential of spots in various permutations to sustain an epic show on this scale.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The result is a whole host of different permutations for hundreds of different vehicles which are produced to the same basic design.
Redwood, John The Global Marketplace (1993)
There are many permutations but this is the situation after the weekend's matches.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The permutations are many, and take away the element of trial and error.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
For autumn they came in many permutations, from basic to highly embellished.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
From Monday onwards we will be looking at all the different possibilities and permutations.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Ten parties now have MPs and the country was buzzing with possible coalition permutations.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Now there are endless permutations.
Christianity Today (2000)
So many permutations and possibilities.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Few things have as many permutations as the Grand National form book.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
(noun)
Definition
a transformation
an infinite variety of permutations
Synonyms
transformation
the transformation of an attic room into a study
change
They are going to have to make some drastic changes.
shift
a shift in policy
variation
Every day without variation my grandfather ate a plate of ham.
modification
Relatively minor modifications were required.
alteration
Her jacket and skirt were still awaiting alteration.
mutation
the film's mutation from domestic drama into courtroom thriller
transmutation
transposition
Additional synonyms
in the sense of alteration
Definition
a change or modification
Her jacket and skirt were still awaiting alteration.
Synonyms
adjustment,
change,
amendment,
variation,
conversion,
transformation,
adaptation,
difference,
revision,
modification,
remodelling,
reformation,
diversification,
makeover,
metamorphosis,
variance,
reshaping,
transmutation
in the sense of change
Definition
the fact of becoming different
They are going to have to make some drastic changes.
Synonyms
alteration,
innovation,
transformation,
modification,
mutation,
metamorphosis,
permutation,
transmutation,
difference,
revolution,
transition,
vicissitude
in the sense of modification
Relatively minor modifications were required.
Synonyms
change,
restriction,
variation,
qualification,
adjustment,
revision,
alteration,
mutation,
reformation,
refinement,
makeover,
modulation
Nearby words of
permutation
permission
permissive
permit
permutation
pernicious
pernickety
peroration
Synonyms of 'permutation'
permutation
Explore 'permutation' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of mutation
Definition
a change in the chromosomes or genes of a cell which may affect the structure and development of the resultant offspring
the film's mutation from domestic drama into courtroom thriller
Synonyms
change,
variation,
evolution,
transformation,
modification,
alteration,
deviation,
metamorphosis,
transfiguration
in the sense of shift
Definition
the act or an instance of shifting
a shift in policy
Synonyms
change,
switch,
shifting,
modification,
alteration,
displacement,
about-turn,
permutation,
fluctuation
in the sense of variation
Definition
a change in level, amount, or quantity
Every day without variation my grandfather ate a plate of ham.