taxonomy

[ tak-son-uh-mee ]

/ tækˈsɒn ə mi /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR taxonomy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural tax·on·o·mies.

the science or technique of classification.

a classification into ordered categories: a proposed taxonomy of educational objectives.

Biology. the science dealing with the description, identification, naming, and classification of organisms.

Nearby words

taxman, taxo-, taxol, taxon, taxonomic, taxonomy, taxpaid, taxpayer, tay, tay-sachs disease, tayberry

Origin of taxonomy

First recorded in 1805–15, taxonomy is from the French word taxonomie. See taxo-, -nomy

Related forms

tax·o·nom·ic

[tak-suh-nom-ik] /ˌtæk səˈnɒm ɪk/, tax·o·nom·i·cal, adjectivetax·o·nom·i·cal·ly, adverbtax·on·o·mist, tax·on·o·mer, nounnon·tax·o·nom·ic, adjective

non·tax·o·nom·i·cal, adjectivenon·tax·o·nom·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for taxonomy

Taxonomy was another major area in which Aristotle influenced the history of science.
Why Aristotle Deserves A Posthumous Nobel|Nick Romeo|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Beyond this taxonomy of options, the big question is this: What outcome are we seeking with any military intervention?
The Best Military Option for Libya|Michael O'Hanlon|March 18, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In order to make some sense of these questions, I undertook a Taxonomy of American Ignorance and Misperceptions.
Ignorant America|Tunku Varadarajan|August 30, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Comments on the taxonomy and geographic distribution of North American microtines.
Check-list of the Birds of Kansas|Harrison B Tordoff

Taxonomy of the chipmunks, Eutamias quadrivittatus and Eutamias umbrinus.
Check-list of the Birds of Kansas|Harrison B Tordoff
The features of external morphology that were studied in connection with the taxonomy of the genus Smilisca are discussed below.
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca|William E. Duellman
In taxonomy it is not nearly so important that a name be pertinent or even well chosen as that it be stable.
A Guide to the Study of Fishes, Volume 1 (of 2)|David Starr Jordan
Doubtless when taxonomy is a more refined art they will constitute a small suborder together.
A Guide to the Study of Fishes, Volume 1 (of 2)|David Starr Jordan

British Dictionary definitions for taxonomy

taxonomy

/ (tækˈsɒnəmɪ) /

noun

the branch of biology concerned with the classification of organisms into groups based on similarities of structure, origin, etc
the practice of arranging organisms in this way

the science or practice of classification

Derived Forms

taxonomic (ˌtæksəˈnɒmɪk) or taxonomical, adjectivetaxonomically, adverbtaxonomist or taxonomer, noun

Word Origin for taxonomy

C19: from French taxonomie, from Greek taxis order + -nomy

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

Medicine definitions for taxonomy

taxonomy

[ tăk-sŏn′ə-mē ]

n.

The classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships.

The science, laws, or principles of classification; systematics.

Related forms

tax′o•nom′ic (-sə-nō′ĭk) null adj.

Science definitions for taxonomy

taxonomy

[ tăk-sŏn′ə-mē ]

The scientific classification of organisms into specially named groups based either on shared characteristics or on evolutionary relationships as inferred from the fossil record or established by genetic analysis.

Culture definitions for taxonomy

taxonomy

[ (tak-son-uh-mee) ]

The classification of living things. (See Linnean classification.)