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

Evolutionary trees – what scientists call phylogenies – show cousin relationships. — Kevin Omland, The Conversation, 9 Feb. 2026

That’s why using phylogenies to date the origin of a function has inherent uncertainties. — Molly Herring, Quanta Magazine, 27 June 2025

The team also created a complementary phylogeny of 276 ant species. — Byariana Remmel, science.org, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for phylogeny

• androgyny
• ontogeny
• orogeny
• progeny

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