holotype

noun

ho·​lo·​type ˈhō-lə-ˌtīp  ˈhä- 

1

: the single specimen designated by an author as the type of a species or lesser taxon at the time of establishing the group

2

: the type of a species or lesser taxon designated at a date later than that of establishing a group or by a person other than the author of the taxon

holotypic

ˌhō-lə-ˈti-pik 

ˌhä-

adjective

Examples of holotype in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The holotype, or primary specimen used to describe the species, is about 2.5 inches long and found in the Honde River, according to the study. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for holotype

• allotype
• antitype
• archetype
• biotype
• collotype
• genotype
• haplotype
• hypotype
• isotype
• lectotype
• linotype
• monotype

Medical Definition

holotype

noun

ho·​lo·​type ˈhō-lə-ˌtīp  ˈhäl-ə- 

1

: the single specimen designated by an author as the type of a species or lesser taxon at the time of establishing the group

2

: the type of a species or lesser taxon designated at a date later than that of establishing a group or by another person than the author of the taxon