suborder

sub·or·der | \ ˈsəb-ˌȯr-dər

How to pronounce suborder (audio)

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Definition of suborder

: 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 Conversely, possum refers to a suborder of tree-living marsupials native to Australia, New Guinea, and Sulawesi. — National Geographic, "Bison or buffalo? Possum or opossum? What's the difference?," 23 Jan. 2020 The insects of this suborder are also tiny—most skiff beetles are about 1 millimeter in size. — Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian, "Fossil Beetle Mix-Up Could Rewrite the History of the Largest Family of Animals on Earth," 10 Sep. 2019 In contrast with the latter order, Myxophaga is a relatively small suborder with only a few dozen species. — Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian, "Fossil Beetle Mix-Up Could Rewrite the History of the Largest Family of Animals on Earth," 10 Sep. 2019 Cystisoma belong to a suborder of marine crustaceans called hyperiid amphipods, which live in every ocean, from just below the surface to right near the floor. — Emily Underwood, Smithsonian, "The Master of Disguise of the Ocean Reveals Its Secrets," 30 Sep. 2017 Scientists think the dolphin (named Inermorostrum xenops) may be the earliest toothless offshoot from the toothed whale suborder Odontoceti, ultimately leading to many different kinds of modern feeding behavior among the group. — Courtesy Robert Boessenecker, National Geographic, "New Species of Prehistoric Dolphin Slurped Up Its Prey," 23 Aug. 2017 Cystisoma belong to a suborder of marine crustaceans called hyperiid amphipods, which live in every ocean, from just below the surface to right near the floor. — Emily Underwood, Smithsonian, "The Master of Disguise of the Ocean Reveals Its Secrets," 2 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suborder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

1 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Suborder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suborder. Accessed 18 Feb. 2020.

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