nomenclature

noun

no·men·cla·ture | \ˈnō-mən-ˌklā-chər also nō-ˈmen-klə-ˌchu̇r,

-ˈmeŋ-, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r\

Definition of nomenclature

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

3a : 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

Other Words from nomenclature Synonyms Are nomenclature and Name Synonymous? More Example Sentences Learn More about nomenclature

Keep scrolling for more

Are nomenclature and Name Synonymous?

In his 1926 Dictionary of Modern English Usage, grammarian H. W. Fowler asserted that it was wrong to use nomenclature as a synonym for name; he declared that nomenclature could only mean "a system of naming or of names." It is true that nomenclature comes from the Latin nomenclatura, meaning "the assigning of names," but the name sense was the first to appear in English (it is documented as long ago as 1610), and it has been considered perfectly standard for centuries.

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

There are 18 different hemagglutinin subtypes and 11 different N subtypes, leading to nomenclature like H3N1. — Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, "Llama “nanobodies” might grant universal flu protection," 5 Nov. 2018 The one product that elicits quite a bit of creative license in its marketing nomenclature: mascara. — Sable Yong, Allure, "Why Are Mascara Names So Damn Thirsty?," 25 Sep. 2018 The 570S has less power than the 650S (the nomenclature correlate to horsepower), but also lower weight — as little as 2,895 pounds, 70 pounds more than a Mini Cooper S automatic. — Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "The Palace of Perfectionism Where McLaren Supercars Are Born," 12 Feb. 2016 Anyway, evil is evil and quibbling about nomenclature is a waste of energy. — New York Times, "Letters to the Editor," 16 Feb. 2018 Of course, real estate nomenclature is as malleable as Play-Doh. — John Kelly, Washington Post, "A new D.C. building is coining a new neighborhood name — or resurrecting one," 19 June 2018 Since the late 80s, the man who releases prank calls as Longmont Potion Castle has created a DIY surrealist universe, complete with a ludicrous nomenclature all its own, disorienting sound collages, and bizarro instrumental interludes. — Jamie Ludwig, Chicago Reader, "Stephanie Marlow of Indie Publicity on a brutal band with a soft spot for pitties," 10 July 2018 This long-distance touring coupe, formerly belonging to the 5 Series family, has been given new nomenclature in keeping with BMW’s policy of making things very confusing. — Dan Neil, WSJ, "2018 BMW 640xi GT: A High-Riding, Roomy Sedan That’s Fun to Drive," 20 Apr. 2018 Maybe absence will make the collective nomenclature grow fonder. — Donna Vickroy, Daily Southtown, "Destined to be dowdy forever? The difficulty of being named 'Donna' in 2018," 7 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nomenclature.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about nomenclature

Listen to Our Podcast about nomenclature

Dictionary Entries near nomenclature

Statistics for nomenclature

Last Updated

14 Nov 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for nomenclature

The first known use of nomenclature was in 1610

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for nomenclature

nomenclature

noun

English Language Learners Definition of nomenclature

: a system of names for things especially in science

See the full definition for nomenclature in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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\

Medical Definition of nomenclature

: 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