suborder

noun

sub·​or·​der ˈsəb-ˌȯr-dər How to pronounce suborder (audio)
: a subdivision of an order
a soil suborder
especially : a taxonomic category ranking between an order and a family

Examples of suborder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The majority of species in this avian suborder possess the vocal learning ability. Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Popular Science, 14 Sep. 2023 The primate order is divided into two major suborders, which split from a common ancestor: One suborder consists of tarsiers, apes, monkeys and hominids; the other, lemurs and lorises. Dyan MacHan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2022 Besides the discovery of the beetles in a coprolite, the scientific name also refers to the Triassic period, which lasted from roughly 252 million to 201 million years ago, and the suborder of bugs called Myxophaga -- small aquatic or semiaquatic beetles that eat algae. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 2 July 2021 In recognition of their find, the team has proposed to place both Nesophontes and solenodons in their own, new suborder, Solenodonota. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 14 Sep. 2016 The primate order is divided into two major suborders, which split from a common ancestor: One suborder consists of tarsiers, apes, monkeys and hominids; the other, lemurs and lorises. Dyan MacHan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2022 The soils in my new neighborhood seem to be Alfisols, likely in the Udalfs suborder. Bonnie Kristian, The Week, 14 Oct. 2021 As any entomologist would tell you, a gnat is one of many species of tiny, flying insects—biting and non-biting—in the dipterid suborder Nematocera, especially those in the families Mycetophilidae, Anisopodidae and Sciaridae. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 23 July 2021 Fikáček placed the beetle within the Myxophaga suborder, several evolutionary branches removed from its Myxophaga cousins that exist today. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suborder was in 1705

Dictionary Entries Near suborder

Cite this Entry

“Suborder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suborder. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

suborder

noun
sub·​or·​der ˈsəb-ˌȯrd-ər How to pronounce suborder (audio)
: a category in biological classification ranking below an order and above a family
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!