taxonomy
noun
tax·on·o·my
tak-ˈsä-nə-mē 
1
: the study of the general principles of scientific classification : systematics
2
: classification
especially
: orderly classification of plants and animals according to their presumed natural relationships
Examples of taxonomy in a Sentence
the taxonomies of various plant groups
Recent Examples on the Web
The taxonomy committee of the Society of Marine Mammalogy will next determine whether to officially recognize resident killer whales and transient killer whales as new species, according to a statement from NOAA, likely at its next annual review this summer.
—
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Comprehensive provider information, spanning demographics, specialties, taxonomy, practice locations, hospital affiliations and accessibility, is indispensable for compliance, precise payments and maintaining current, member-centric provider directories.
—Tammy Hawes, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Psychiatry hastily slotted him into its strict taxonomy.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Part of what makes Pace’s book so refreshing is that the author is uninterested in finding, or inventing, breadcrumb trails that point to an artist’s sexuality, or assembling an alternative taxonomy of LGBTQ+ anthems.
—Owen Myers, Pitchfork, 29 Feb. 2024
What we’re left with is a dreadful, sometimes surpassingly dull taxonomy of wickedness, as the greedy, lunkheaded Ernest succumbs to Hale’s venal spell, while also falling in love with and marrying an Osage woman named Mollie.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2023
Those that haven’t been identified through Western taxonomy end up falling through the net of conservation programs.
—Helen Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Dr Britz’s research focuses on the morphology, comparative anatomy and taxonomy of fishes, particularly those occurring in Myanmar.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
So, those of us who grew up on pantsuit memes and taxonomies of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s lace collars would like to know: What’s Haley up to here?
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2024
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Comprehensive provider information, spanning demographics, specialties, taxonomy, practice locations, hospital affiliations and accessibility, is indispensable for compliance, precise payments and maintaining current, member-centric provider directories.
—Tammy Hawes, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Psychiatry hastily slotted him into its strict taxonomy.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024
Part of what makes Pace’s book so refreshing is that the author is uninterested in finding, or inventing, breadcrumb trails that point to an artist’s sexuality, or assembling an alternative taxonomy of LGBTQ+ anthems.
—Owen Myers, Pitchfork, 29 Feb. 2024
What we’re left with is a dreadful, sometimes surpassingly dull taxonomy of wickedness, as the greedy, lunkheaded Ernest succumbs to Hale’s venal spell, while also falling in love with and marrying an Osage woman named Mollie.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2023
Those that haven’t been identified through Western taxonomy end up falling through the net of conservation programs.
—Helen Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Dr Britz’s research focuses on the morphology, comparative anatomy and taxonomy of fishes, particularly those occurring in Myanmar.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
So, those of us who grew up on pantsuit memes and taxonomies of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s lace collars would like to know: What’s Haley up to here?
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'taxonomy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to taxonomy
Dictionary Entries Near taxonomy
Cite this Entry
“Taxonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taxonomy. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
taxonomy
noun
tax·on·o·my
tak-ˈsän-ə-mē
1
: the study of scientific classification
2
: classification sense 2a
especially
: orderly classification of living things according to their presumed natural relationships
Medical Definition
taxonomy
noun
tax·on·o·my
tak-ˈsän-ə-mē
plural taxonomies
1
: the study of the general principles of scientific classification : systematics
2
: orderly classification of plants and animals according to their presumed natural relationships
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