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nomenclature

noun
no·​men·​cla·​ture | \ ˈnō-mən-ˌklā-chər also nō-ˈmen-klə-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce nomenclature (audio) , -ˈmeŋ-, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r\

Definition of nomenclature

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 species— R. I. Smith
3a : 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
Other Words from nomenclature Synonyms Are nomenclature and Name Synonymous? More Example Sentences Learn More about nomenclature

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Other Words from nomenclature

nomenclatural \ ˌnō-​mən-​ˈklāch-​rəl How to pronounce nomenclatural (audio) , -​ˈklā-​chə-​ \ adjective

Are nomenclature and Name Synonymous?

In his 1926 Dictionary of Modern English Usage, grammarian H. W. Fowler asserted that it was wrong to use nomenclature as a synonym for name; he declared that nomenclature could only mean "a system of naming or of names." It is true that nomenclature comes from the Latin nomenclatura, meaning "the assigning of names," but the name sense was the first to appear in English (it is documented as long ago as 1610), and it has been considered perfectly standard for centuries.

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

 Rather, Beto seems to think that the current and continued Hispanicizing of his nomenclature (remember, at times Beto has dropped his nickname) will pay dividends in a national race. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "How Robert O’Rourke Became ‘Beto’," 12 Aug. 2019 The Los Angeles quartet formed in 2000 under the name Metal Shop and have continued in their current nomenclature since 2008. — Trevor Fraser, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Steel Panther keep metal alive at Plaza Live in Orlando," 15 July 2019 In 2011, legislators and then-Governor Deval Patrick, a Democrat, agreed on the Expanded Gaming Act, launching the casino era and tacitly embracing the industry’s nomenclature for the activity historically known as gambling. — Mark Arsenault, BostonGlobe.com, "At the new casino, ‘I don’t feel like we’re in Everett right now’," 23 June 2019 Sometimes that means arguing about tax policy, sometimes that means altering the nomenclature of a specific state’s outlets. — Luke Winkie, Vox, "Anime brings in more than $19 billion a year. Its artists are earning barely enough to survive.," 2 July 2019 And still others argued that the debate over nomenclature was a distraction from the real issue, which is how migrants are being treated in detention facilities. — Ben Sales, sun-sentinel.com, "Jews who called out Ocasio-Cortez weigh in on detention centers," 9 July 2019 Mercury isn’t alone in its whimsical nomenclature: Venus’s features are all named after famous women, and the moons of Uranus are named after characters from Shakespeare. — Kim Stanley Robinson, National Geographic, "Dear MESSENGER: How unmasking Mercury brought art to life," 22 Mar. 2019 Yes, dogs do belong to the order of Carnivora, but this taxonomic nomenclature is a bit misleading. — Brian Kateman, Quartz, "Vegan pets sound bougie, but they might just save the Earth," 12 June 2019 Some of the nomenclature on this 1975 soundtrack might be dated, but the entire album is still a timeless classic (s/o Tim Curry’s vocals). — Aly Semigran, Billboard, "15 Essential Soundtracks From LGBTQ Movies," 4 June 2019

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

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First Known Use of nomenclature

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for nomenclature

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 1

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.

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More Definitions for nomenclature

nomenclature

noun
How to pronounce nomenclature (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of nomenclature

formal : a system of names for things especially in science

See the full definition for nomenclature in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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\

Medical Definition of nomenclature

: 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

Other Words from nomenclature

nomenclatural \ ˌnō-​mən-​ˈklāch-​(ə-​)rəl How to pronounce nomenclatural (audio) \ adjective
nomenclaturally \ -​ē How to pronounce nomenclaturally (audio) \ adverb

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