phylogeny

noun

phy·​log·​e·​ny fī-ˈlä-jə-nē 

plural phylogenies

1

: the evolutionary history of a kind of organism

2

: the evolution of a genetically related group of organisms as distinguished from the development of the individual organism

3

: the history or course of the development of something (such as a word or custom)

Examples of phylogeny in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, the fungal phylogeny suggests the innovation arose not once, but twice in the wake of the catastrophe. —Byariana Remmel, science.org, 3 Oct. 2024

The team calibrated the phylogenies with ant and fungus fossil records to establish the age of each branch. —Byariana Remmel, science.org, 3 Oct. 2024

Rebecca Varney, University of California, Santa Barbara Then the researchers mapped the different eye types onto the phylogeny. —Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024

Eyespots and shell eyes each evolved two separate times across the phylogeny — representing two separate instances of convergent evolution. —Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

phylogeny

noun

phy·​log·​e·​ny fī-ˈläj-ə-nē 

plural phylogenies

: the development of a group of related living things by evolution over a long period of time in contrast to the development of a particular individual from its first immature stage to an adult

Medical Definition

phylogeny

noun

phy·​log·​e·​ny fi-ˈläj-ə-nē 

plural phylogenies

1

: the evolutionary history of a kind of organism

2

: the evolution of a genetically related group of organisms as distinguished from the development of the individual organism

called also phylogenesis

compare ontogeny