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 But here again, Toyota is using standard, accurate nomenclature that is not ordinarily considered deceptive. Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2024 The four-team playoff draw a more stark line and led to new nomenclature: Power Five and Group of Five conferences. Ralph D. Russo, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024 Bold provocations and special prompts have led to an evolving nomenclature. Tim Davis, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024 This name change would align this new entry-level model with the nomenclature for the larger K5 mid-size sedan. Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 9 Aug. 2023 In 2020, an international group convened to come up with new nomenclature for the condition. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 28 Dec. 2023 To strip these conditions of some stigma and make the nomenclature more accurate, national liver groups decided this year to change the names of several liver conditions. Isabella Cueto and Elaine Chen, STAT, 21 Dec. 2023 Now, for the first time, the XX nomenclature is on street-legal releases. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2023 This debate isn’t just a squabble over nomenclature. Robert Johnson, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2023

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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Cite this Entry

“Nomenclature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nomenclature. Accessed 18 Mar. 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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