superorder

[ soo-per-awr-der ]

noun

, Biology.

1. a category of related orders within a class or subclass.

superorder

/ ˈsuːpərˌɔːdə /

noun

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

superorder

/ so̅o̅′pər-ôr′dər /

1. A taxonomic category of related organisms ranking below a class or subclass and containing one or more orders.

Word History and Origins

Origin of superorder¹

First recorded in 1885–90; super- + order

Example Sentences

The avian superorder includes common pheasants, peacocks, and swans among the 452 species of game and waterfowl.

From National Geographic

Armadillos, like anteaters and sloths, belong to the superorder Xenarthra, which includes insect-eating, big-clawed animals from the American tropics, says Don Moore, associate director of Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

From National Geographic

Sloths, along with armadillos and anteaters constitute the Xenarthra superorder.

From BBC