typology

American  

[tahy-pol-uh-jee] / taɪˈpɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the doctrine or study of types or prefigurative symbols, especially in scriptural literature.

2. a systematic classification or study of types.

3. symbolism.

4. Linguistics. the study and classification of languages according to structural features, especially patterns of phonology, morphology, and syntax, without reference to their histories.

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typology British  

/ taɪˈpɒlədʒɪ, ˌtaɪpəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. Christian theol the doctrine or study of types or of the correspondence between them and the realities which they typify

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Other Word Forms

• typologic adjective
• typological adjective
• typologically adverb
• typologist noun

Etymology

Origin of typology

First recorded in 1835–45; typo- + -logy

Explanation

Typology means classifying things according to specific types, such as dividing people into good and bad people. You may have heard people say, "I know the type!" or "He's not my type." They're talking about the kind of person someone is — similarly, typology is a way of classifying and dividing people or things according to types. For example, you could talk about drivers in terms of cautious drivers, confident drivers, and careless drivers. Social scientists — especially anthropologists and psychologists — are the most likely to describe the way they classify things as typology.

Example Sentences

Sometimes, the shapes in “Pluriverse assembly” suggest familiar objects — a simple light bulb, for instance, or a changing typology of ancient Greek vases, like an amphora or an oenochoe jug.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2024

You show that there’s a two-dimensional typology we can use to understand how different democracies work, one with electoral systems, the other with what you call "executive accountability."

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2024

The swords were dated based on their typology, and have not yet undergone radiocarbon dating.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 6, 2023

Such qualities and attitudes are hard to fault, but within the museum’s typology, there is an implied critique; namely, why should we “privilege” the nuclear family, Western history, rational thinking, hard work, and self-reliance?

From Washington Times • Feb. 21, 2022

What a marvelous unfolding of Old Testament typology in the Hebrews!

From The Theology of Holiness by Clark, Dougan

Related Words

• categorization
• classification