nomenclature

noun

no·​men·​cla·​ture ˈnō-mən-ˌklā-chər 

 also  nō-ˈmen-klə-ˌchu̇r,

-ˈmeŋ-,

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r

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

nomenclatural

ˌnō-mən-ˈklā-ch(ə-)rəl 

adjective

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Are nomenclature and Name Synonymous?

Nomenclature comes from a Latin word meaning "the assigning of names." English's name and noun are rooted in the Latinate nomen.

Synonyms

• appellation
• appellative
• cognomen
• compellation
• denomination
• denotation
• designation
• handle
• moniker
• monicker
• name
• title

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

Next to the Miata's general freshening for 1994, Mazda adopts a new nomenclature for its special-edition models: the M Edition. —Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, 18 May 2023

Cult-inspiring and consistently psychedelic, P-Funk has been touring and producing funk classics, always with new nomenclature and personnel, for more than 30 years. —Joshua Medintz, The Enquirer, 14 July 2023

The past 12 months have provided people with a whole new schema of aesthetic nomenclature, each foodstuff connected to some kind of inherent moral quality. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2023

The term has taken on fraught political valence in recent years as the preferred nomenclature of Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). —Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2023

Using current Lexus nomenclature, the TZ450e could likely use a similar 63.4-kWh battery as the all-wheel-drive RZ450e on sale today, and the TZ550e could carry a larger battery pack with improved range. —Austin Irwin, Car and Driver, 31 July 2023

The scientific bodies that oversee biological nomenclature are now grappling with demands for change. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2023

The industry has retained nomenclature relating to an old world while expanding its reach geographically and in terms of customer base, amid advances in technology (like air conditioning and central heat, not just marketing) and climate change. —Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 13 July 2023

In nomenclature, the difference between the Kia EV6 GT and the lesser EV6 GT-Line models is slight. —Frankie Cruz, Car and Driver, 16 Mar. 2023

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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

Phrases Containing nomenclature

• binomial nomenclature

• binomial nomenclature

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Kids Definition

nomenclature

noun

no·​men·​cla·​ture ˈnō-mən-ˌklā-chər 

: a system of terms used in a particular science, field of knowledge, or art

especially : the scientific names for plants and animals used in biology compare binomial nomenclature

Etymology

from Latin nomenclatura "a calling by name, list of names," derived from nomen "name" and calatus, past participle of calare "to call"

Medical Definition

nomenclature

noun

no·​men·​cla·​ture

ˈnō-mən-ˌklā-chər also nō-ˈmen-klə-ˌchu̇(ə)r, -ˈmeŋ-, -klə-chər, -klə-ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r

: a system of terms used in a particular science

especially : an international system of standardized New Latin names used in biology for kinds and groups of kinds of animals and plants see binomial nomenclature

nomenclatural

ˌnō-mən-ˈklāch-(ə-)rəl 

adjective

nomenclaturally

-ē 

adverb