phylum

noun

phy·​lum ˈfī-ləm How to pronounce phylum (audio)
plural phyla ˈfī-lə How to pronounce phylum (audio)
1
a
: a direct line of descent within a group
b
: a group that constitutes or has the unity of a phylum
specifically : a primary category in biological taxonomy especially of animals that ranks above the class and below the kingdom compare division sense 10
2
: a group of languages related more remotely than those of a family or stock

Examples of phylum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The team recorded a total of 32 species from six phyla in this faunal region, most of which new to science. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026 Insects belong to a phylum called Arthropoda – animals with hard exoskeletons and jointed feet. — Nicholas Green, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025 After domain, kingdom and phylum, the next taxonomy subcategories are class, order, family, genus and species. — Eva Amsen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 While significant progress has been made, more research is needed to gain insight into the phylum's biogeochemical processes, as well as its role in ecological health as a whole. — New Atlas, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for phylum

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek phylon tribe, race — more at phyl-

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of phylum was in 1868

Rhymes for phylum

See All Rhymes for phylum

Browse Nearby Words

phylon
phylum
phymatid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Phylum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phylum. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

phylum

noun
phy·​lum ˈfī-ləm How to pronounce phylum (audio)
plural phyla -lə How to pronounce phylum (audio)
: a group of animals or in some classifications plants sharing one or more major characteristics that set them apart from all other animals or plants and forming one of the main categories in biological classification that ranks above the class and below the kingdom compare division sense 8

Medical Definition

phylum

noun
phy·​lum ˈfī-ləm How to pronounce phylum (audio)
plural phyla -lə How to pronounce phylum (audio)
: a major group of animals or in some classifications plants sharing one or more fundamental characteristics that set them apart from all other animals and plants and forming a primary category of the animal or plant kingdom
the phylum Arthropoda

More from Merriam-Webster on phylum

Nglish: Translation of phylum for Spanish Speakers

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