scientific name

American  

[sahy-uhn-tif-ik naym] / ˈsaɪ ənˌtɪf ɪk ˈneɪm /

noun

scientific names plural

1. the name used by scientists for a particular organism, consisting of the genus name followed by the species name, conventionally in italics and with the genus name spelled with a capital letter, the species name with a lower-case letter; taxonomic name, binomial nomenclature.

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scientific name Scientific  

/ sī′ən-tĭf′ĭk /

1. A name used by scientists, especially the taxonomic name of an organism that consists of the genus and species. Scientific names usually come from Latin or Greek. An example is Homo sapiens, the scientific name for humans.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• scientific naming
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• scientific names
  plural

Example Sentences

Each newly discovered species must be given a scientific name, and researchers often draw inspiration from people, experiences, or even popular culture.

From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2026

The scientific name proposed for the new Nullarbor species is Bettongia haoucharae.

From Science Daily • Dec. 13, 2025

The greater flamingo, or Phoenicopterus roseus to use its scientific name, is listed as a threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2025

The scientific name can diverge from the common name of the virus or the disease.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 3, 2024

“The scientific name for polar bears is Ursus maritimus, which means ‘sea bear,’ ” Owen said, shifting back to his tour guide script.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz