systematics
Americannoun
-
the study of systems or of classification.
-
Biology.
-
the study and classification of organisms with the goal of reconstructing their evolutionary histories and relationships.
-
phylogenetic classification.
-
noun
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.
Their work appears in the open-access journal Evolutionary Systematics, which frequently publishes new findings in taxonomy and evolutionary biology.
From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2025
According to a study published in the journal Evolutionary Systematics, the animal known as the eyelash viper, or Bothriechis schlegelii, isn’t just one species, but many.
From National Geographic • Feb. 13, 2024
Systematics provides guidelines that scientists use to describe the relationships of organisms.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
Their research was published Wednesday in the journal Insect Systematics and Diversity.
From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2022
Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 8:355-380, 2 figures.
From Metabolic Adaptation to Climate and Distribution of the Raccoon Procyon Lotor and Other Procyonidae by Mahlke-Johnson, Kathleen P.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
