suborder
noun
sub·or·der
ˈsəb-ˌȯr-dər 
: a subdivision of an order
a soil suborder
especially
: a taxonomic category ranking between an order and a family
Examples of suborder in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The majority of species in this avian suborder possess the vocal learning ability.
—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Popular Science, 14 Sep. 2023
The primate order is divided into two major suborders, which split from a common ancestor: One suborder consists of tarsiers, apes, monkeys and hominids; the other, lemurs and lorises.
—Dyan MacHan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2022
Besides the discovery of the beetles in a coprolite, the scientific name also refers to the Triassic period, which lasted from roughly 252 million to 201 million years ago, and the suborder of bugs called Myxophaga -- small aquatic or semiaquatic beetles that eat algae.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 2 July 2021
In recognition of their find, the team has proposed to place both Nesophontes and solenodons in their own, new suborder, Solenodonota.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 14 Sep. 2016
The primate order is divided into two major suborders, which split from a common ancestor: One suborder consists of tarsiers, apes, monkeys and hominids; the other, lemurs and lorises.
—Dyan MacHan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2022
The soils in my new neighborhood seem to be Alfisols, likely in the Udalfs suborder.
—Bonnie Kristian, The Week, 14 Oct. 2021
As any entomologist would tell you, a gnat is one of many species of tiny, flying insects—biting and non-biting—in the dipterid suborder Nematocera, especially those in the families Mycetophilidae, Anisopodidae and Sciaridae.
—Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 23 July 2021
Fikáček placed the beetle within the Myxophaga suborder, several evolutionary branches removed from its Myxophaga cousins that exist today.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2021
See More
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Popular Science, 14 Sep. 2023
The primate order is divided into two major suborders, which split from a common ancestor: One suborder consists of tarsiers, apes, monkeys and hominids; the other, lemurs and lorises.
—Dyan MacHan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2022
Besides the discovery of the beetles in a coprolite, the scientific name also refers to the Triassic period, which lasted from roughly 252 million to 201 million years ago, and the suborder of bugs called Myxophaga -- small aquatic or semiaquatic beetles that eat algae.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 2 July 2021
In recognition of their find, the team has proposed to place both Nesophontes and solenodons in their own, new suborder, Solenodonota.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 14 Sep. 2016
The primate order is divided into two major suborders, which split from a common ancestor: One suborder consists of tarsiers, apes, monkeys and hominids; the other, lemurs and lorises.
—Dyan MacHan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2022
The soils in my new neighborhood seem to be Alfisols, likely in the Udalfs suborder.
—Bonnie Kristian, The Week, 14 Oct. 2021
As any entomologist would tell you, a gnat is one of many species of tiny, flying insects—biting and non-biting—in the dipterid suborder Nematocera, especially those in the families Mycetophilidae, Anisopodidae and Sciaridae.
—Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 23 July 2021
Fikáček placed the beetle within the Myxophaga suborder, several evolutionary branches removed from its Myxophaga cousins that exist today.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suborder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1705, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near suborder
Cite this Entry
“Suborder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suborder. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Medical Definition
suborder
noun
sub·or·der
ˈsəb-ˌȯrd-ər
: a category in biological classification ranking below an order and above a family
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share