Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

nomenclature

American  
[noh-muhn-kley-cher, noh-men-kluh-cher, -choor] / ˈnoʊ mənˌkleɪ tʃər, noʊˈmɛn klə tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

noun

  1. a set or system of names or terms, as those used in a particular science or art, by an individual or community, etc.

  2. the names or terms comprising a set or system.


nomenclature British  
/ ˈnəʊmənˌkleɪtʃər, nəʊˈmɛnklətʃə /

noun

  1. the terminology used in a particular science, art, activity, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of nomenclature

First recorded in 1600–10, nomenclature is from the Latin word nōmenclātūra “a calling by name, list of names.” See nomenclator, -ure

Explanation

When adjusting to a new job, you may have trouble understanding the nomenclature, or system of naming things, in the workplace. Just remember: they’re "guests," not "customers," and they push a "purchase buggy," not a "shopping cart." The nomen- in nomenclature comes from the Latin word for name. Nomenclature is a system for giving names to things within a particular profession or field. For instance, you may have heard of binomial nomenclature in biology class. It applies to the way of referring to living things by two names, like calling humans Homo sapiens. Biologists all follow the same nomenclature so that they are easily understood by each other.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing nomenclature

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The resulting Color Standards and Color Nomenclature, published in 1912, was an immediate hit, selling out several printing runs.

From National Geographic • Dec. 7, 2023

“We don’t do that,” said Gareth Williams, secretary of the naming group, which is called the Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature.

From New York Times • Mar. 22, 2023

The “560974 Ugoboncompagni” — Gregory’s birth name was Ugo Boncompagni — was announced along with 72 other named asteroids in the Feb. 27 update of the union’s Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 28, 2023

I don’t dismiss it entirely, though: Nomenclature evolves over time, and I’m interested to see how new gin styles develop country to country.

From Washington Post • Sep. 27, 2021

Recent observers have classified clouds as under: Howard's Latin Nomenclature.

From Notes and Queries, Number 206, October 8, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Bell, George

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "nomenclature" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com