typology

noun

ty·​pol·​o·​gy tī-ˈpä-lə-jē How to pronounce typology (audio)
plural typologies
1
: study of or analysis or classification based on types or categories
2
: a doctrine of theological types
especially : one holding that things in Christian belief are prefigured or symbolized by things in the Old Testament
typologist noun

Examples of typology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The water consumption is reduced by a target of 50% relative to a benchmark building of the same typology and use. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024 The black paint used in parts was inspired by the natural patina acquired by Indigenous palm-thatch dwellings, a resilient typology throughout Brazil that most architects, until recently, wouldn’t have considered architecture at all. Michael Snyder Pedro Kok, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023 In Fort Worth, that typology gets an inventive new spin. Mark Lamster, Dallas News, 26 July 2023 As some local observers have noted, many of these Victorian shops were intended as a typology that combines commercial with residential use, with the idea being that shop owners would live above their business. Kimberley Mok, Treehugger, 5 July 2023 The thing that amazes me about New York City is the tremendous variety of human typologies, races, religions, aesthetics. . . . Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023 Born of the late 19th century, this industrial typology defines the architectural character of Deep Ellum. Dallasnews.com Staff, Dallas News, 15 June 2023 Those typologies would be well known to virtually any Chicagoan: Single-family bungalow, two-flat, three-flat, six-flat and row house. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023 The ample one-bedroom residence, organized around an interior patio, is a contemporary take on the traditional typology of local farmhouses, with a nearby guest cottage featuring the same dimensions as the courtyard, as if extruded from the main volume. Ana Karina Zatarain, ELLE Decor, 30 Nov. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'typology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of typology was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near typology

Cite this Entry

“Typology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typology. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

typology

noun
ty·​pol·​o·​gy tī-ˈpäl-ə-jē How to pronounce typology (audio)
plural typologies
: study of or study based on types
especially : classification (as of personality, human physique, or bacterial strains) based on the comparative study of types
typological adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on typology

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