phylum

noun

phy·​lum ˈfī-ləm 

plural phyla ˈfī-lə 

1

a

: a direct line of descent within a group

b

: a group that constitutes or has the unity of a phylum

specifically : a primary category in biological taxonomy especially of animals that ranks above the class and below the kingdom compare division sense 10

2

: a group of languages related more remotely than those of a family or stock

Examples of phylum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After domain, kingdom and phylum, the next taxonomy subcategories are class, order, family, genus and species. —Eva Amsen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Diversification, niche adaptation, and evolution of a candidate phylum thriving in the deep Critical Zone Development in Earth Surface Processes. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025

Insects belong to a phylum called Arthropoda – animals with hard exoskeletons and jointed feet. —Nicholas Green, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025

Proteobacteria is a bacterial phylum that’s especially abundant in the terrestrial and marine subsurface. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek phylon tribe, race — more at phyl-

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for phylum

• whilom
• xylem
• asylum

Kids Definition

phylum

noun

phy·​lum ˈfī-ləm 

plural phyla -lə 

: a group of animals or in some classifications plants sharing one or more major characteristics that set them apart from all other animals or plants and forming one of the main categories in biological classification that ranks above the class and below the kingdom compare division sense 8

Medical Definition

phylum

noun

phy·​lum ˈfī-ləm 

plural phyla -lə 

: a major group of animals or in some classifications plants sharing one or more fundamental characteristics that set them apart from all other animals and plants and forming a primary category of the animal or plant kingdom

the phylum Arthropoda