phylum

noun

phy·​lum ˈfī-ləm 

plural phyla ˈfī-lə 

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

Even in the face of extinction, existing body plans—think of higher taxonomic categories such as phylum, class, or order—rarely disappear entirely. —Leigh Phillips, The Atlantic, 9 July 2024

The animals are the first transgenic echinoderms, the phylum that includes starfish, sea cucumbers and other marine animals. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024

Like humans, tunicates belong to the phylum Chordata. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 16 July 2023

Within that clade, most of these species are from the class Clostridia in the phylum Firmicutes, a phylum of bacteria important to gut health. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

phylum

noun

phy·​lum ˈfī-ləm 

plural phyla -lə 

: 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 

plural phyla -lə 

: 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