taxon

[ tak-son ]

noun

, plural tax·a [tak, -s, uh].

1. a taxonomic category, as a species or genus.

taxon

/ ˈtæksɒn /

noun

1. biology any taxonomic group or rank

taxon

/ tăk′sŏn′ /

, Plural taxa

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of taxon¹

First recorded in 1945–50; from Greek táx(is) “arranged, put in order” + -on neuter noun ending; taxis ¹, -on ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of taxon¹

C20: back formation from taxonomy

Example Sentences

The genus Vulpes, which includes foxes, makes up another taxon.

From Science News For Students

The names also categorize organisms into groups, known as taxa.

From Science News For Students

However, there aren’t rules for deciding what rank a group of species — or taxon — falls into.

From Science News For Students

In fact, a third scientist might even think the taxon should belong to a different rank, such as an order.

From Science News For Students

The nested nature of these taxa provides scientists with helpful information.

From Science News For Students

Taxol′ogy, the science of classification; Taxon′omer, a taxonomist.

From Project Gutenberg

Other entries are first usages, in chronological order, of other names (synonyms) that have been applied to the taxon in question.

From Project Gutenberg

The second entry is the name-combination herein applied to the taxon.

From Project Gutenberg

Because there is considerable variation correlated with sex and size, each taxon occurs in the key in more than one couplet.

From Project Gutenberg

The last specialization is seen in at least one taxon of Orthogeomys (Orthogeomys cherriei costaricensis).

From Project Gutenberg