superfamily

[ soo-per-fam-uh-lee, -fam-lee ]

noun

, Biology.

, plural su·per·fam·i·lies.

1. a category of related families within an order or suborder.

superfamily

/ ˈsuːpəˌfæmɪlɪ /

noun

1. biology a taxonomic group that is a subdivision of a suborder
2. any analogous group, such as a group of related languages

superfamily

/ so̅o̅′pər-făm′ə-lē /

1. A taxonomic category of related organisms ranking below an order or its subdivisions and containing one or more families. The names of superfamilies in the animal kingdom end in –oidea, such as Hominoidea, the primate superfamily containing the family of apes (Pongidae) and the family of humans (Hominidae).

Word History and Origins

Origin of superfamily¹

First recorded in 1870–75; super- + family

Example Sentences

There are far fewer moths and hoverflies than there were 125 years ago; now, flowers are being swarmed with muscoid flies, which are a superfamily including houseflies.

From Salon

The team’s findings around another group of dinosaurs — the diverse superfamily of herbivores called ornithischians — were more surprising still.

From New York Times

Acceleron, based in Massachusetts, is working with the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily of proteins that is known to play a central role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation and repair.

From Seattle Times

PfCRT is a member of the superfamily of proteins known as drug/metabolite transporters9 and is located in the membrane of the parasite’s digestive vacuole.

From Nature

The superfamily that contains the tyrannosaurs includes more than two dozen other dinosaurs.

From New York Times