taxonomy

American  

[tak-son-uh-mee] / tækˈsɒn ə mi /

noun

plural

taxonomies

1. the science or technique of classification.

2. a classification into ordered categories.

   a proposed taxonomy of educational objectives.

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

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taxonomy British  

/ tækˈsɒnəmɪ, ˌtæksəˈnɒmɪk /

noun

1. 1. the branch of biology concerned with the classification of organisms into groups based on similarities of structure, origin, etc

   2. the practice of arranging organisms in this way

2. the science or practice of classification

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taxonomy Scientific  

/ tăk-sŏn′ə-mē /

1. 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.

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taxonomy Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• nontaxonomic adjective
• nontaxonomical adjective
• nontaxonomically adverb
• taxonomer noun
• taxonomic adjective
• taxonomical adjective
• taxonomically adverb
• taxonomist noun

Etymology

Origin of taxonomy

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

Example Sentences

In “If I Go,” Thompson-Hernández scraps the three-act structure for something more novelistic, a risk that a lesser director might have fumbled but one he turns into a profound taxonomy on grace.

From Los Angeles Times

"That begs some more interesting, intriguing questions that you wouldn't have even known to think of until we figured out the alpha taxonomy," Werner said.

From Science Daily

While modern taxonomy may also rely on supporting materials such as photographs or genetic information, the holotype remains the primary reference point.

From Science Daily

"Our findings challenge the current classification of Little Foot and highlight the need for further careful, evidence-based taxonomy in human evolution," Dr. Martin said.

From Science Daily

He is now widely regarded as the founder of modern taxonomy after introducing the binomial naming system and formally describing more than 10,000 species of plants and animals.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• allocation
• allotment
• analysis
• arrangement
• coordination
• designation
• distribution
• grade
• regulation