phyla

[ fahy-luh ]
/ ˈfaɪ lə /

noun

plural of phylum.

Words nearby phyla

phycology, phycomycete, phycomycosis, phyfe, phyl-, phyla, phylactery, phylactic, phylakopi, phylaxis, phyle

Definition for phyla (2 of 3)

phylon
[ fahy-lon ]
/ ˈfaɪ lɒn /

noun, plural phy·la [fahy-luh] /ˈfaɪ lə/.

a group that has a genetic relationship or common origin, as a race.

Origin of phylon

< New Latin < Greek phŷlon race, tribe, class, akin to phȳ́ein to bring forth, produce, be

Definition for phyla (3 of 3)

phylum
[ fahy-luh m ]
/ ˈfaɪ ləm /

noun, plural phy·la [fahy-luh] /ˈfaɪ lə/.

Biology. the primary subdivision of a taxonomic kingdom, grouping together all classes of organisms that have the same body plan.
Linguistics. a category consisting of language stocks that, because of cognates in vocabulary, are considered likely to be related by common origin. Compare stock(def 13).

Origin of phylum

1875–80; < New Latin < Greek phŷlon tribe, stock; see phylon

OTHER WORDS FROM phylum

phy·lar, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for phyla

British Dictionary definitions for phyla (1 of 2)

phyla
/ (ˈfaɪlə) /

noun

the plural of phylum

British Dictionary definitions for phyla (2 of 2)

phylum
/ (ˈfaɪləm) /

noun plural -la (-lə)

a major taxonomic division of living organisms that contain one or more classes. An example is the phylum Arthropoda (insects, crustaceans, arachnids, etc, and myriapods)
any analogous group, such as a group of related language families or linguistic stocks

Word Origin for phylum

C19: New Latin, from Greek phulon race

Medical definitions for phyla

phylum
[ fī′ləm ]

n. pl. phy•la (-lə)

A taxonomic category that is a primary division of a kingdom and ranks above a class in size.

Scientific definitions for phyla

phylum
[ fī′ləm ]

Plural phyla

A group of organisms ranking above a class and below a kingdom. See Table at taxonomy.

Cultural definitions for phyla

phylum
[ (feye-luhm) ]

plur. phyla

One of the major divisions of the kingdoms of living things; the second-largest standard unit of biological classification. The arthropods, chordates, and mollusks are phyla. Phyla in the plant kingdom are frequently called divisions. (See Linnean classification.)