phylogeny

noun

phy·​log·​e·​ny fī-ˈlä-jə-nē 

plural phylogenies

1

: the evolutionary history of a kind of organism

2

: the evolution of a genetically related group of organisms as distinguished from the development of the individual organism

3

: the history or course of the development of something (such as a word or custom)

Examples of phylogeny in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rebecca Varney, University of California, Santa Barbara Then the researchers mapped the different eye types onto the phylogeny. —Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024

Eyespots and shell eyes each evolved two separate times across the phylogeny — representing two separate instances of convergent evolution. —Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024

He was known for his contribution to the taxonomy and phylogeny of the higher fungi. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024

Computational phylogeny works best when there is a single word for every root meaning researchers are interested in tracing. —Kurt Kleiner, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

phylogeny

noun

phy·​log·​e·​ny fī-ˈläj-ə-nē 

plural phylogenies

: the development of a group of related living things by evolution over a long period of time in contrast to the development of a particular individual from its first immature stage to an adult

Medical Definition

phylogeny

noun

phy·​log·​e·​ny fi-ˈläj-ə-nē 

plural phylogenies

1

: the evolutionary history of a kind of organism

2

: the evolution of a genetically related group of organisms as distinguished from the development of the individual organism

called also phylogenesis

compare ontogeny