subfamily
noun
sub·fam·i·ly
ˈsəb-ˌfam-lē 
-ˌfa-mə-
1
: a category in biological classification ranking below a family and above a genus
2
: a subgroup of languages within a language family
Examples of subfamily in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By using a new classification system as well as testing the DNA’s gene activity, researchers identified four previously undiscovered subfamilies.
—
Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
The team compared the new genetic data with sequences from modern rhinos and extinct relatives and found that two subfamilies of rhinos diverged earlier than previously thought.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025
About 50 species of Varanus are recognized in the subfamily Varaninae.
—Annie Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 July 2024
Pit vipers are a subfamily of venomous snakes that have heat-sensing organs in between their eyes and nose, according to the American Museum of Natural History.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
In the 1990s, a group of scientists used molecular analysis to show that skunks and polecats are in different subfamilies despite looking similar.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Subsequent partial gene deletions and fusions sculpted the various protein subfamilies found in rattlesnake venom metalloproteinases.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
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Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
The team compared the new genetic data with sequences from modern rhinos and extinct relatives and found that two subfamilies of rhinos diverged earlier than previously thought.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025
About 50 species of Varanus are recognized in the subfamily Varaninae.
—Annie Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 July 2024
Pit vipers are a subfamily of venomous snakes that have heat-sensing organs in between their eyes and nose, according to the American Museum of Natural History.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
In the 1990s, a group of scientists used molecular analysis to show that skunks and polecats are in different subfamilies despite looking similar.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Subsequent partial gene deletions and fusions sculpted the various protein subfamilies found in rattlesnake venom metalloproteinases.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Subfamily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subfamily. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
subfamily
noun
sub·fam·i·ly
ˈsəb-ˌfam-(ə-)lē
: a category in biological classification ranking below a family and above a genus
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