nomenclature

noun

no·​men·​cla·​ture ˈnō-mən-ˌklā-chər How to pronounce nomenclature (audio)
 also  nō-ˈmen-klə-ˌchu̇r,
-ˈmeŋ-,
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r
1
: name, designation
… the changing nomenclature of her streets is even more baffling …Cornelia O. Skinner
2
: the act or process or an instance of naming
nomenclature … is at its simplest the task of assigning a name to each distinct speciesR. I. Smith
3
a
: a system or set of terms or symbols especially in a particular science, discipline, or art
the nomenclature of inorganic chemistry
b
: an international system of standardized New Latin names used in biology for kinds and groups of kinds of animals and plants
nomenclatural adjective

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Are nomenclature and Name Synonymous?

Nomenclature comes from a Latin word meaning "the assigning of names." English's name and noun are rooted in the Latinate nomen.

Examples of nomenclature in a Sentence

the nomenclatures of zoology and chemistry the nomenclature, “tuxedo,” derives from the fact that the jacket first became popular in the resort area of Tuxedo Park, New York
Recent Examples on the Web My question is this: What is the appropriate nomenclature and etiquette for this new world? Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 July 2024 Imposter syndrome has been a fixture of workplace nomenclature for decades. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 June 2024 Michael Teo Van Runkle A new entry-level EV from General Motors hits the market this year bearing the name Equinox, but other than nomenclature, this Chevy is not at all related to the current internal-combustion compact crossover. Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 30 May 2024 Some of the earliest ones seem even quaint now, like Goose; there should be no reality in which the Mad Max and Top Gun franchises share nomenclature. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for nomenclature 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nomenclature.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin nōmenclātūra "assigning of names to things," from nōmen "name" + calātus, past participle of calāre "to announce, proclaim" + -ūra -ure — more at name entry 1, low entry 3

Note: The Latin word is formed after earlier nōmenclātor "slave tasked with telling his master the names of clients and others encountered publicly"—see nomenclator.

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nomenclature was in 1610

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Dictionary Entries Near nomenclature

Cite this Entry

“Nomenclature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nomenclature. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

nomenclature

noun
no·​men·​cla·​ture ˈnō-mən-ˌklā-chər How to pronounce nomenclature (audio)
: a system of terms used in a particular science, field of knowledge, or art
especially : the scientific names for plants and animals used in biology compare binomial nomenclature
Etymology

from Latin nomenclatura "a calling by name, list of names," derived from nomen "name" and calatus, past participle of calare "to call"

Medical Definition

nomenclature

noun
no·​men·​cla·​ture
ˈnō-mən-ˌklā-chər also nō-ˈmen-klə-ˌchu̇(ə)r, -ˈmeŋ-, -klə-chər, -klə-ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r
: a system of terms used in a particular science
especially : an international system of standardized New Latin names used in biology for kinds and groups of kinds of animals and plants see binomial nomenclature
nomenclatural adjective
nomenclaturally adverb

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