cladism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “cladism” mean?
A taxonomic method of classifying organisms based on their evolutionary branchings and shared derived characteristics.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A taxonomic method of classifying organisms based on their evolutionary branchings and shared derived characteristics.
A system of biological classification using cladistics; the principles and practice of organizing species into clades (groups sharing a common ancestor).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, spelling, or meaning. It is a highly technical term used identically in international scientific discourse.
Connotations
Neutral and precise technical term.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside professional biological literature in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “cladism” in a Sentence
cladism is used to [verb]the cladism of [noun phrase]debate over cladismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cladism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The researcher sought to cladise the insect order.
- They cladised the family based on new molecular data.
American English
- The researcher sought to cladize the insect order.
- They cladized the family based on new molecular data.
adverb
British English
- The species were grouped cladistically.
- He argued cladistically.
American English
- The species were grouped cladistically.
- He argued cladistically.
adjective
British English
- The cladistic analysis produced a new tree.
- A cladistic approach was employed.
American English
- The cladistic analysis produced a new tree.
- A cladistic approach was used.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Exclusively used in biological sciences, particularly in systematics, evolutionary biology, and paleontology.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core term in biological taxonomy and phylogenetics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cladism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cladism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cladism”
- Confusing with 'classification' in a general sense.
- Using it as a synonym for 'evolution'.
- Misspelling as 'cladistism'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for most practical purposes in scientific literature, they are synonymous, both referring to the method of classification based on clades.
Almost exclusively in academic papers, textbooks, and discussions within evolutionary biology, systematics, and paleontology.
Phenetics (or numerical taxonomy), which groups organisms based on overall similarity, often without reference to evolutionary history.
No, the adjective form is 'cladistic'. 'Cladism' is a noun referring to the methodology or system itself.
A taxonomic method of classifying organisms based on their evolutionary branchings and shared derived characteristics.
Cladism is usually technical/scientific in register.
Cladism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkleɪdɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkleɪdɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a family tree where branches CLAD the main trunk. CLADism is about classifying life based on these CLADes (branches).
Conceptual Metaphor
CLASSIFICATION IS MAPPING A FAMILY TREE.
Practice
Quiz
Cladism is primarily concerned with: