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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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. 2023

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
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
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
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

Scientific definitions for taxon

taxon

[ tăk′sŏn′ ]

Plural taxa

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