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systematics

American  
[sis-tuh-mat-iks] / ˌsɪs təˈmæt ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)
  1. the study of systems or of classification.

  2. Biology.

    1. the study and classification of organisms with the goal of reconstructing their evolutionary histories and relationships.

    2. phylogenetic classification.


systematics British  
/ ˌsɪstɪˈmætɪks /

noun

  1. (functioning as singular) the study of systems and the principles of classification and nomenclature

"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

Etymology

Origin of systematics

First recorded in 1885–90; see origin at systematic, -ics

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.

See Examples For:

Professor Hoshino, an expert in plant systematics, founded the Institute of Viticulture and Enology at OUS in April 2017.

From Science Daily Nov. 3, 2025

Scientists in the field of systematics organize organisms by characteristics.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

Scientists use systematics programs to put together the phylogeny of an organism.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

Scientists in the field of systematics provide information on how organisms are similar or different.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

Foreign systematics are, I observe, much too vague in their specific differences; which are almost universally constituted by one or two particular marks, the rest of the description running in general terms.

From The Natural History of Selborne by White, Gilbert

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