selection

A group of different things chosen from a larger group or available for you to choose.

• They have a good selection of books.
• We tried a selection of small dishes.
• Is there a wider selection online?

How to use it: a selection of something (The shop sells a selection of local cheeses.)

Similar words: range, assortment, variety

Common phrases: wide selection, selection of something, good selection, small selection

The act of choosing someone or something from a group.

• The selection process takes a week.
• Careful selection of materials keeps costs low.
• Who is responsible for team selection?

How to use it: selection of someone/something (The selection of a new manager took weeks.); selection for something (Her selection for the national team surprised everyone.)

Similar words: choice

Common phrases: selection process, selection of something, team selection

The process in which living things suited to their surroundings survive and have more young.

• Natural selection can change a species over time.
• These traits spread through natural selection.
• The researchers studied selection in wild birds.

Common phrases: natural selection, sexual selection, selection pressure

A piece of music chosen to be played or sung.

• Our next selection is a gentle piano piece.
• The orchestra performed three selections from the opera.
• She introduced each selection before singing it.

Similar words: piece, number

Common phrases: musical selection, next selection, play a selection

An area of land a farmer could choose to buy in Australia under earlier land laws.

• The farmer built a house on his selection.
• They cleared trees from the selection before planting wheat.
• Her grandfather bought a small selection in Australia.

Similar words: landholding

Common phrases: take a selection, small selection, his selection