evolution

Compared meaning: a gradual process of change over time (noun).

比较义项：随时间逐渐发展、变化的过程（名词）。

• evolution 本词

  Describes a gradual, often natural or unplanned process of change over time, not necessarily an improvement, as with species or traditions changing on their own.

  描述随时间推移逐渐发生的、往往是自然或无人为计划的变化过程，不一定意味着变得更好，比如物种或传统自行发生的演变。

  No one planned it — the evolution of the tradition happened naturally over centuries.

  没有人刻意规划过——这一传统的演变是在几个世纪中自然发生的。

• development

  Implies becoming more advanced or capable, usually through deliberate effort or investment, as in building a product or skill.

  意指经过刻意的努力或投入而变得更先进、更有能力，比如打造产品或提升技能。

  The company invested heavily in software development last year.

  这家公司去年在软件开发上投入了大量资金。

Evolution and development both describe change over time. Evolution is a gradual, often natural or unplanned process, not necessarily an improvement, as with species changing on their own. Development implies becoming more advanced, usually through deliberate effort, as in building a product or skill.

这两个词都可以表示随着时间推移逐渐发生变化的过程，但语义侧重不同：evolution 强调自然、渐进、甚至无人为计划的演变，不一定意味着变得更好；development 则特指经过努力或投入而变得更先进、更完善。这里不涉及 development 表示“发育”（如儿童发育）的用法。