holotype

noun

ho·​lo·​type ˈhō-lə-ˌtīp  ˈhä- 

1

: the single specimen designated by an author as the type of a species or lesser taxon at the time of establishing the group

2

: the type of a species or lesser taxon designated at a date later than that of establishing a group or by a person other than the author of the taxon

holotypic

ˌhō-lə-ˈti-pik 

ˌhä-

adjective

Examples of holotype in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The holotype was one of the first specimens to be scanned once the lab was up and running in late 2024. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Scientists described the snake as a new species in 2006, using the specimen housed in the Field Museum’s collections as the holotype. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026

Taxonomists designate a holotype specimen for each new species. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for holotype

• allotype
• antitype
• archetype
• biotype
• collotype
• genotype
• haplotype
• hypotype
• isotype
• lectotype
• linotype
• monotype

Medical Definition

holotype

noun

ho·​lo·​type ˈhō-lə-ˌtīp  ˈhäl-ə- 

1

: the single specimen designated by an author as the type of a species or lesser taxon at the time of establishing the group

2

: the type of a species or lesser taxon designated at a date later than that of establishing a group or by another person than the author of the taxon