irreducible complexity

noun

The proposition that complex organs such as eyes and flagella must have started existing in their current form; i.e., that they cannot have evolved from previous, less complex stages.

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Meanings

nounirreducible complexity (uncountable)
  1. uncountablebiologyThe proposition that complex organs such as eyes and flagella must have started existing in their current form; i.e., that they cannot have evolved from previous, less complex stages.

Origin

Coined by Michael Behe in his book Darwin's Black Box (1996).

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Cite this entry
APA

irreducible complexity. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/irreducible%20complexity

MLA

“irreducible complexity.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/irreducible%20complexity. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “irreducible complexity,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/irreducible%20complexity.

Source: irreducible complexity on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.