Definition of NOMENCLATURE (original) (raw)
1
: name, designation
… the changing nomenclature of her streets is even more baffling …—
Cornelia O. Skinner
2
: the act or process or an instance of naming
nomenclature … is at its simplest the task of assigning a name to each distinct species—R. I. Smith
3
a
: a system or set of terms or symbols especially in a particular science, discipline, or art
the nomenclature of inorganic chemistry
b
: an international system of standardized New Latin names used in biology for kinds and groups of kinds of animals and plants
Did you know?
Nomenclature has everything to do with names: it can refer to the act of naming, a name itself, and even a system of names—you name it! The term comes to English from the Latin word nōmenclātūra, which means “assigning of names to things.” One may marvel, for instance, at the nomenclature—that is, names—of towns in the United States, from Ninety-Six (South Carolina) to Frankenstein (Missouri). Or one may be required to learn the nomenclature—the system of naming—of a particular branch of science. If nomenclature reminds you of a term you heard in biology class, you know what we mean. Binomial nomenclature refers to a system of nomenclature in which each species of animal or plant receives a name of two terms, of which the first identifies the genus to which it belongs and the second the species itself. For example, the scientific name for humans according to this nomenclature is Homo sapiens.
Synonyms
Examples of nomenclature in a Sentence
the nomenclatures of zoology and chemistry the nomenclature, “tuxedo,” derives from the fact that the jacket first became popular in the resort area of Tuxedo Park, New York
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The attack likely starts with either a phishing email link or attachment, although the researchers were unable to obtain the original email the nomenclature used in the filenames suggested income tax deduction and rebates as the bait. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024 Consider the teenager’s nomenclature for an erect pecker. —Matthew J. C. Clark, Harper's Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024 In 1967, only about 600 buyers checked the Z28 option box (there was no slash included in the Z28 nomenclature for the first year), but 1968 and 1969 saw about 7,200 and 20,300 Z/28s built, respectively. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2024 Perhaps a little unfortunate given the recent bad publicity for a couple of different criminal networks using the same Matrix nomenclature. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nomenclature 
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin nōmenclātūra "assigning of names to things," from nōmen "name" + calātus, past participle of calāre "to announce, proclaim" + -ūra -ure — more at name entry 1, low entry 3
Note: The Latin word is formed after earlier nōmenclātor "slave tasked with telling his master the names of clients and others encountered publicly"—see nomenclator.
First Known Use
1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of nomenclature was in 1610
Dictionary Entries Near nomenclature
Cite this Entry
“Nomenclature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nomenclature. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 2 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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