taxonomy

[ tak-son-uh-mee ]

noun

, plural tax·on·o·mies.

1. the science or technique of classification.
2. a classification into ordered categories:

   a proposed taxonomy of educational objectives.

3. Biology. the science dealing with the description, identification, naming, and classification of organisms.

taxonomy

/ tækˈsɒnəmɪ; ˌtæksəˈnɒmɪk /

noun

1. 1. the branch of biology concerned with the classification of organisms into groups based on similarities of structure, origin, etc
   2. the practice of arranging organisms in this way
2. the science or practice of classification

taxonomy

/ tăk-sŏn′ə-mē /

1. The scientific classification of organisms into specially named groups based either on shared characteristics or on evolutionary relationships as inferred from the fossil record or established by genetic analysis.

taxonomy

1. The classification of living things. ( See Linnean classification .)

Derived Forms

• ˌtaxoˈnomically, adverb
• taxˈonomist, noun
• taxonomic, adjective

Other Words From

• tax·o·nom·ic [tak-s, uh, -, nom, -ik], taxo·nomi·cal adjective
• taxo·nomi·cal·ly adverb
• tax·ono·mist tax·ono·mer noun
• nontax·o·nomic adjective
• nontax·o·nomi·cal adjective
• nontax·o·nomi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of taxonomy¹

First recorded in 1805–15, taxonomy is from the French word taxonomie. See taxo-, -nomy

Word History and Origins

Origin of taxonomy¹

C19: from French taxonomie, from Greek taxis order + -nomy

Example Sentences

At times, however, he fails to draw a connection between a species and the city, punctuating the book with vignettes laden with contextless taxonomy.

From Los Angeles Times

But if Bogle’s book was a taxonomy, it was also a reclamation.

From Los Angeles Times

Complex rules govern the discipline of taxonomy, and typically a specimen must be designated as a reference point when it’s first named.

From Los Angeles Times

This approach, known as integrative taxonomy, allowed them to identify distinct biological entities previously overlooked.

From Science Daily

To adjust for differences among countries, the researchers adopted a new-to-the-field method called dynamic relative taxonomy.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• allocation
• allotment
• analysis
• arrangement
• coordination
• designation
• distribution
• grade
• regulation