subfamily

noun

sub·​fam·​i·​ly ˈsəb-ˌfam-lē How to pronounce subfamily (audio)
-ˌfa-mə-
1
: a category in biological classification ranking below a family and above a genus
2
: a subgroup of languages within a language family

Examples of subfamily in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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About 50 species of Varanus are recognized in the subfamily Varaninae. Annie Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 July 2024 Pit vipers are a subfamily of venomous snakes that have heat-sensing organs in between their eyes and nose, according to the American Museum of Natural History. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024 In the 1990s, a group of scientists used molecular analysis to show that skunks and polecats are in different subfamilies despite looking similar. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024 Subsequent partial gene deletions and fusions sculpted the various protein subfamilies found in rattlesnake venom metalloproteinases. Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 After examining the dataset, the team’s program established two wholly independent European and Asian sign language families alongside family trees for each one, as well as two distinct Asian sign language subfamilies. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024 There were dozens of subfamilies distinguished by different types of teeth, diets and reproductive styles. Steve Brusatte, Scientific American, 1 June 2022 There are three subfamilies of the klotho protein that are formed depending on how the klotho gene is spliced (Figure 1). William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023 These subfamilies are alpha, beta, and gamma. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subfamily was in 1805

Dictionary Entries Near subfamily

Cite this Entry

“Subfamily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subfamily. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

subfamily

noun
sub·​fam·​i·​ly ˈsəb-ˌfam-(ə-)lē How to pronounce subfamily (audio)
: a category in biological classification ranking below a family and above a genus
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