taxonomy

American  

[tak-son-uh-mee] / tækˈsɒn ə mi /

noun

plural

taxonomies

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 British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ 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 Cultural  

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

---

Other Word Forms

• nontaxonomic
  adjective
• nontaxonomical
  adjective
• nontaxonomically
  adverb
• taxonomer
  noun
• taxonomic
  adjective
• taxonomical
  adjective
• taxonomically
  adverb
• taxonomist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of taxonomy

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

Explanation

Taxonomy is all about organizing and classifying. To make it sound more scientific, you could refer to your project of reorganizing your spice rack according to smell as a taxonomy of spices. Taxonomy is a word used mainly in biology to talk about classifying living organisms, organizing them according to their similarities. If you've ever seen a chart with animals divided into species, genus, and family, you know what scientific taxonomy is. The word comes very straightforwardly from Greek words for "arrangement" — taxis — and "method" — nomia. So any special method for arranging or organizing things can be called taxonomy.

Example Sentences

A decided positivism—the painstaking naturalism of the pre-Darwinian life sciences, with their attention to the taxonomy, function and illustration of biological forms—made itself felt in his work habits and in his meticulous drawings.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

The SEC also released a token taxonomy in March clarifying that it didn’t believe most crypto transactions fell under its jurisdiction.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

Careful classification, known as taxonomy, is essential for understanding the animals that live in the CCZ.

From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2026

“We need to work out a clear taxonomy and stick within our lanes when it comes to enforcement,” said Selig.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

All I had to do was provide the illustrations, and I could draw as well as Fred could explain taxonomy.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Related Words

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