English Reference
noun

nomenclature

n.
US /ˈnoʊmənˌkɫeɪtʃɝ/ UK /nəmˈɛŋklətʃɐ/ nomen·cla·ture UK spelling nomenclatures

  1. 01 C1 Advanced AcademicTechnical Science

    a system of rules for naming things in a particular field, such as biology or chemistry.

    a system of rules or conventions used for forming names or terms within a specific branch of knowledge or art.

    Simple

    In biology, the nomenclature for naming species uses two Latin words.

    In context

    The international committee met to standardize the chemical nomenclature, ensuring that researchers worldwide use identical terms for new compounds.

    Usage

    Often used with the definite article 'the' followed by 'of' and a specific field.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a high-level academic word; students should use 'vocabulary' or 'terms' in everyday conversation.

    terminologytaxonomynaming system
  2. 02 C1 Advanced AcademicFormal

    the specific set of names or words used by a group of people in a certain job or hobby.

    the body or system of names in a particular field, viewed as a collective set.

    Simple

    It takes time to learn the complex nomenclature of the legal profession.

    In context

    The report criticized the confusing nomenclature used by the tech industry, arguing that it creates unnecessary barriers for new users.

    Usage

    Uncountable when referring to the concept, but can be countable when comparing different systems.

As the “ arbiter of planetary and satellite nomenclature ,” the IAU had been working on a new formal definition of the term “planet” for about two years.

Smithsonian Magazine· 24 Aug 2026

The Bear River Battleground was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1990, only to be renamed the Bear River Massacre Site in 1993, after tribal members objected to the original nomenclature.

Smithsonian Magazine· 28 Jul 2026

Borrowed from Latin nōmenclātūra (“a calling by name, list of names”), from nōmen (“name”) + calāre (“call”). Doublet of nomenklatura.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated