zoology

noun

zo·​ol·​o·​gy zō-ˈä-lə-jē  zə-ˈwä- 

1

: a branch of biology concerned with the classification and the properties and vital phenomena of animals

2

a

: animal life (as of a region) : fauna

b

: the properties and vital phenomena exhibited by an animal, animal type, or group

zoologist

zō-ˈä-lə-jist 

zə-ˈwä-

noun

Examples of zoology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The building will consolidate the 6 million items currently part of the Cincinnati Museum Center's multiple collections, including vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, zoology, mineralogy, archaeology, history objects, fine art, manuscripts, moving images and photographs. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Children can visit the Discovery Room on the second floor for hands-on activities centered around anthropology, paleontology, zoology, astronomy, biology and geology. —Maddie Carr, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025

The species was named in honor of Tanmay Bhattacharya for his contributions to zoology. —Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025

During each session, students will tour one of the museum’s exhibits to learn about history, anthropology and zoology, according to the class webpage. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin zoologia "study of animals" (in early use often in reference to animals as the source of medicines), from zoo- zoo- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for zoology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

Kids Definition

zoology

noun

zo·​ol·​o·​gy zō-ˈäl-ə-jē  zə-ˈwäl- 

: a branch of biology concerned with the animal kingdom and animal life

Medical Definition

zoology

noun

zo·​ol·​o·​gy zō-ˈäl-ə-jē 

plural zoologies

1

: a branch of biology that deals with the classification and the properties and vital phenomena of animals

2

: the properties and vital phenomena exhibited by an animal, animal type, or group