binomial nomenclature

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noun Zoology, Botany.

a system of nomenclature in which each species is given a unique name that consists of a generic and a specific term.

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Origin of binomial nomenclature

First recorded in 1875–80

Words nearby binomial nomenclature

binocular vision, binomial, binomial coefficient, binomial distribution, binomial experiment, binomial nomenclature, binomial series, binomial theorem, binominal, binormal, binovular

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use binomial nomenclature in a sentence

Before binomial nomenclature, animal names involved long descriptions.
What biologists call a species is becoming more than just a name|Jack J. Lee|October 14, 2021|Science News For Students
So Rhoxane could be the “queen” that local nomenclature has linked to the site.
Is This Alexander the Great’s Tomb—or His Wife’s?|James Romm|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The world had become a different place and I found myself unequipped to interpret a whole new landmine-strewn nomenclature.
What Should I Call the Man I Love?|Dushka Zapata|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, the jokes, the nomenclature, the people doing the creepy but supposed to be funny stares, are almost always men.
Women, It's Time to Reclaim Our Breasts|Emily Shire|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The term itself contains misleading nomenclature—the individual does not have to be a surgeon.
Meet Obama’s Controversial Surgeon General Nominee|Soumitra R. Eachempati, MD|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But because they wanted something friendlier, they came up with the nomenclature of ‘screen name.’
We're All Still Secretly Using Our 1990s AOL Screen Names. Why?|Andrew Romano|January 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The nomenclature by position is an essential part of the scheme of Keys proposed by Ptolemy.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro
Among the apt terms which he applied in all his nomenclature only one, Cape Tribulation, bears witness to the risks which he ran.
Yachting Vol. 2|Various.
Similar specializations are of frequent occurrence in the history even of scientific nomenclature.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive|John Stuart Mill
On this principle is founded the admirable binary nomenclature of botany and zoology.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive|John Stuart Mill
This was done in the mineralogical nomenclature proposed by Professor Mohs.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive|John Stuart Mill

British Dictionary definitions for binomial nomenclature

binomial nomenclature

binominal nomenclature

noun

a system for naming plants and animals by means of two Latin names: the first indicating the genus and the second the species to which the organism belongs, as in Panthera leo (the lion)

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

Scientific definitions for binomial nomenclature

binomial nomenclature

The scientific system of naming an organism using two terms, the first being the genus and the second the species. The terms are usually Greek or Latin. For example, the scientific name of the narrow-leaf firethorn is Pyracantha angustifolia, where the genus is Greek for fire thorn and the species is Latin for having narrow leaves.