subphylum

[ suhb-fahy-luhm ]

noun

, Biology.

, plural sub·phy·la [suhb-, fahy, -l, uh].

1. a category of related classes within a phylum.

subphylum

/ sʌbˈfaɪləm /

noun

1. biology a taxonomic group that is a subdivision of a phylum

subphylum

/ sŭb′fī′ləm /

, Plural subphyla

1. A subdivision of a phylum of organisms. A subphylum contains one or more classes.

Derived Forms

• subˈphylar, adjective

Other Words From

• sub·phylar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of subphylum¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1930–35; sub-, phylum

Example Sentences

He had begun his career as a night fighter and still practiced the skills of that subphylum of aviator.

From Literature