taxonomy

[tak-son-uh-mee]

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

/ 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

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.)

Other Word Forms

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

"The more precisely we understand giraffe taxonomy, the better equipped we are to assess their status and implement effective conservation strategies," said co-author of the report Michael Brown of the IUCN.

From BBC

I’m a sucker for people who become accidental academics through obsession, the kind of folks who fall so deep into a personal passion that they emerge with a whole taxonomy in tow.

From Salon

It was doctrine: a working theory of lettuce, complete with a taxonomy of inner versus outer leaves.

From Salon

The way that I could be useful to Roo then and now was photography and taxonomy.

From Salon

Nakai spent time studying the Dudleya genus, succulents native to the West Coast, and contributed to its taxonomy, or scientific classification.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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