binomial nomenclature

American  

noun

Zoology, Botany.

1. 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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binomial nomenclature British  

noun

1. 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)

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binomial nomenclature Scientific  

1. 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.”

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Etymology

Origin of binomial nomenclature

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

They played key roles in scientific achievements such as Carl Linnaeus's development of binomial nomenclature and Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

From Scientific American

Many credit taxonomist Carl Linnaeus for biology’s binomial nomenclature, but few mention the Bauhin brothers, Gaspard and Johann.

From Washington Post

Species are named according to “binomial nomenclature,” in that they are gifted a two-part name that is specific to that organism.

From Slate

Since the 18th century, biologists have used the so-called binomial nomenclature system devised by the Swedish “father of taxonomy” Carl Linnaeus, whose format gives every species a unique two-part name consisting of a broader genus category, followed by an individual species name.

From Scientific American

The practice of playfully naming new species after celebrities, friends and enemies is as old as the practice of binomial nomenclature, the scientific naming of organisms.

From Seattle Times