superfamily

[ soo-per-fam-uh-lee, -fam-lee ]

noun

, Biology.

, plural su·per·fam·i·lies.

1. a category of related families within an order or suborder.

superfamily

/ ˈsuːpəˌfæmɪlɪ /

noun

1. biology a taxonomic group that is a subdivision of a suborder
2. any analogous group, such as a group of related languages

superfamily

/ so̅o̅′pər-făm′ə-lē /

1. A taxonomic category of related organisms ranking below an order or its subdivisions and containing one or more families. The names of superfamilies in the animal kingdom end in –oidea, such as Hominoidea, the primate superfamily containing the family of apes (Pongidae) and the family of humans (Hominidae).

Word History and Origins

Origin of superfamily¹

First recorded in 1870–75; super- + family

Example Sentences

Superfamily, sū′pėr-fam-i-li, n. a group in classification between a suborder and a family, a group of families.

From Project Gutenberg

Classification of the ichneumon flies, or the superfamily Ichneumonoidea.

From Project Gutenberg