taxon

[ tak-son ]

/ ˈtæk sɒn /

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noun, plural tax·a

[tak-suh]. /ˈtæk sə/.

a taxonomic category, as a species or genus.

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Origin of taxon

First recorded in 1945–50; from Greek táx(is) “arranged, put in order” + -on neuter noun ending; see taxis¹, -on¹

Words nearby taxon

tax loophole, tax loss, taxman, taxo-, Taxol, taxon, taxonomy, taxpaid, taxpayer, tax rate, tax relief

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use taxon in a sentence

The genus Vulpes, which includes foxes, makes up another taxon.
What biologists call a species is becoming more than just a name|Jack J. Lee|October 14, 2021|Science News For Students
However, there aren’t rules for deciding what rank a group of species — or taxon — falls into.
What biologists call a species is becoming more than just a name|Jack J. Lee|October 14, 2021|Science News For Students
The names also categorize organisms into groups, known as taxa.
What biologists call a species is becoming more than just a name|Jack J. Lee|October 14, 2021|Science News For Students
In fact, a third scientist might even think the taxon should belong to a different rank, such as an order.
What biologists call a species is becoming more than just a name|Jack J. Lee|October 14, 2021|Science News For Students

The nested nature of these taxa provides scientists with helpful information.
What biologists call a species is becoming more than just a name|Jack J. Lee|October 14, 2021|Science News For Students
Taxol′ogy, the science of classification; Taxon′omer, a taxonomist.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various
Other entries are first usages, in chronological order, of other names (synonyms) that have been applied to the taxon in question.
North American Recent Soft-shelled Turtles (Family Trionychidae)|Robert G. Webb
The second entry is the name-combination herein applied to the taxon.
North American Recent Soft-shelled Turtles (Family Trionychidae)|Robert G. Webb
Because there is considerable variation correlated with sex and size, each taxon occurs in the key in more than one couplet.
North American Recent Soft-shelled Turtles (Family Trionychidae)|Robert G. Webb
The last specialization is seen in at least one taxon of Orthogeomys (Orthogeomys cherriei costaricensis).
Evolution and Classification of the Pocket Gophers of the Subfamily Geomyinae|Robert J. Russell

British Dictionary definitions for taxon

taxon

/ (ˈtæksɒn) /

noun plural taxa (ˈtæksə)

biology any taxonomic group or rank

Word Origin for taxon

C20: back formation from taxonomy

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

Medical definitions for taxon

taxon

[ tăk′sŏn′ ]

n. pl. tax•a (tăk′sə)

A taxonomic category or group, such as a phylum, order, family, genus, or species.

Scientific definitions for taxon

taxon

[ tăk′sŏn′ ]

Plural taxa

A taxonomic category or group, such as a phylum, order, family, genus, or species.