holotype
noun
ho·lo·type
ˈhō-lə-ˌtīp 
ˈhä-
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
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
The holotype, or primary specimen used to describe the new species, was found in Taitung County on Taiwan’s southeastern coast.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 June 2025
The holotype, or primary specimen of the new species, was completely preserved, unlike many fossils where just a few parts survived the test of time, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
The fish is small with the holotype, or primary specimen, measuring just 2.4 inches long, and other fish ranging in size from 1.6 inches to 2.7 inches long, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
The holotype, or primary specimen used to describe the species, was a female and had 32 chaetigers, or the fleshy appendages lining the center structure of the body, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
The holotype, or primary specimen used to describe the species, was 1.7 inches long and was found crawling on the rocks at low tide, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
The holotype, or primary specimen used to describe the new species, had a total length of nearly 7 inches, researchers said.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
The holotype, or primary specimen of the new species, was found in Toyota City, near the eastern coast of central Japan.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
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Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
The holotype, or primary specimen used to describe the new species, was found in Taitung County on Taiwan’s southeastern coast.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 June 2025
The holotype, or primary specimen of the new species, was completely preserved, unlike many fossils where just a few parts survived the test of time, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
The fish is small with the holotype, or primary specimen, measuring just 2.4 inches long, and other fish ranging in size from 1.6 inches to 2.7 inches long, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
The holotype, or primary specimen used to describe the species, was a female and had 32 chaetigers, or the fleshy appendages lining the center structure of the body, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
The holotype, or primary specimen used to describe the species, was 1.7 inches long and was found crawling on the rocks at low tide, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
The holotype, or primary specimen used to describe the new species, had a total length of nearly 7 inches, researchers said.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
The holotype, or primary specimen of the new species, was found in Toyota City, near the eastern coast of central Japan.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holotype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holotype. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
holotype
noun
ho·lo·type
ˈhō-lə-ˌtīp
ˈhäl-ə-
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
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