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phylum Definition

phy·lum (fī′ləm)

noun pl. phyla -·la (-lə)

  1. a major category in the classification of living organisms, esp. animals, ranking above a class and below a kingdom: it can include one class or many similar classes: the Latinized phylum names are capitalized but not italicized (Ex.: Arthropoda, arthropods)
    1. a language stock
    2. loosely a language family

Etymology: ModL, coined by Baron Georges (Léopold Chrétien Frédéric Dagobert) Cuvier < Gr phylon, tribe: see phylo-

phylum Synonyms

phylum

n.

variety, species, kind; see class 1.

phylum Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • constitute: In abundance of species the mollusks constitute the largest invertebrate phylum apart from the Arthropods with over 50,000 described species.

Adjective modifier

  • new: This new species was such an unusual organism, a new phylum was proposed.

Modifies a noun

  • porifera: Sponges are primitive multi-cellular organisms of the phylum Porifera and inhabit all seas.
  • level: The BMLSS have adopted these classifications at phylum level.
  • essay: The introductions to each kingdom before the individual phylum essays are particularly useful and give a good overview.