First Known Use: circa 1828
Dictionary
taxonomy
noun tax·on·o·my \tak-ˈsä-nə-mē\
: the process or system of describing the way in which different living things are related by putting them in groups
Full Definition of TAXONOMY
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
— tax·o·nom·ic \ˌtak-sə-ˈnä-mik\ also tax·o·nom·i·cal \-mi-kəl\ adjective
— tax·o·nom·i·cal·ly \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
— tax·on·o·mist \tak-ˈsä-nə-mist\ noun
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Origin of TAXONOMY
French taxonomie, from tax- + -nomie -nomy
Other Biology Terms
TAXONOMY Defined for Kids
taxonomy
noun tax·on·o·my \tak-ˈsä-nə-mē\
Definition of TAXONOMY for Kids
: classification of living things (as plants and animals) using a system that is usually based on natural relationships
Medical Dictionary
taxonomy
noun tax·on·o·my \tak-ˈsän-ə-mē\
plural tax·on·o·mies
Medical Definition of TAXONOMY
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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