Phylum

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈfaɪlÉ™m/

Origin

From Latin phylum, from Ancient Greek φῦλον (phulon, "tribe, race").

Full definition of phylum

Noun

1. (biology, taxonomy) A rank in the classification of organisms, below kingdom and above class; also called a division, especially in describing plants; a taxon at that rankMammals belong to the phylum Chordata.
2. (linguistics) A large division of possibly related languages, or a major language family which is not subordinate to another.

Synonyms

• (group of languages) superstock

Derived terms

• subphylum
• superphylum