plural phyla
ˈfī-lə 
1
a
: a direct line of descent within a group
b
: a group that constitutes or has the unity of a phylum
specifically
: a primary category in biological taxonomy especially of animals that ranks above the class and below the kingdom compare division sense 10
2
: a group of languages related more remotely than those of a family or stock
Examples of phylum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even in the face of extinction, existing body plans—think of higher taxonomic categories such as phylum, class, or order—rarely disappear entirely.
—
Leigh Phillips, The Atlantic, 9 July 2024
The animals are the first transgenic echinoderms, the phylum that includes starfish, sea cucumbers and other marine animals.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
Like humans, tunicates belong to the phylum Chordata.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 16 July 2023
Within that clade, most of these species are from the class Clostridia in the phylum Firmicutes, a phylum of bacteria important to gut health.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for phylum 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Leigh Phillips, The Atlantic, 9 July 2024
The animals are the first transgenic echinoderms, the phylum that includes starfish, sea cucumbers and other marine animals.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
Like humans, tunicates belong to the phylum Chordata.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 16 July 2023
Within that clade, most of these species are from the class Clostridia in the phylum Firmicutes, a phylum of bacteria important to gut health.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for phylum
Dictionary Entries Near phylum
Cite this Entry
“Phylum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phylum. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phylum
noun
phy·lum
ˈfī-ləm
plural phyla
-lə
: a group of animals or in some classifications plants sharing one or more major characteristics that set them apart from all other animals or plants and forming one of the main categories in biological classification that ranks above the class and below the kingdom compare division sense 8
Medical Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share