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Definition of "taxonomy" []

  • The classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships. (noun)
  • The science, laws, or principles of classification; systematics. (noun)
  • Division into ordered groups or categories: "Scholars have been laboring to develop a taxonomy of young killers” ( Aric Press). (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "taxonomy" in a sentence
  • "A taxonomy is a nested hierarchy based on shared characterists."
  • "Darwin proposes that the nested hierarchy of Linnaean taxonomy is due to the nested hierarchy of descent."
  • "A taxonomy is a type of nested hierarchy classification based on character traits."