Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

animalia

plural noun, often capitalized
an·​i·​ma·​lia | \ ˌanəˈmālyə, -lēə\

Definition of animalia

: that one of the basic groups of living things that comprises either all the animals or all the multicellular animals — compare animal kingdom, plantae, protista

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of animalia

1902, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for animalia

New Latin, from Latin, plural of animal

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about animalia

Statistics for animalia

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for animalia

The first known use of animalia was in 1902

See more words from the same year

Comments on animalia

What made you want to look up animalia? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

flounce

Listen to the pronounciation of flounce

to move with exaggerated bouncy motions

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Finance Words Quiz

  • a-piggy-bank
  • The etymology of mortgage is related most closely to which two words?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games