subfamily
noun
sub·fam·i·ly
ˈsəb-ˌfam-lē 
-ˌfa-mə-
1
: a category in biological classification ranking below a family and above a genus
2
: a subgroup of languages within a language family
Examples of subfamily in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
About 50 species of Varanus are recognized in the subfamily Varaninae.
—
Annie Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 July 2024
Pit vipers are a subfamily of venomous snakes that have heat-sensing organs in between their eyes and nose, according to the American Museum of Natural History.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
In the 1990s, a group of scientists used molecular analysis to show that skunks and polecats are in different subfamilies despite looking similar.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Subsequent partial gene deletions and fusions sculpted the various protein subfamilies found in rattlesnake venom metalloproteinases.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
After examining the dataset, the team’s program established two wholly independent European and Asian sign language families alongside family trees for each one, as well as two distinct Asian sign language subfamilies.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024
There were dozens of subfamilies distinguished by different types of teeth, diets and reproductive styles.
—Steve Brusatte, Scientific American, 1 June 2022
There are three subfamilies of the klotho protein that are formed depending on how the klotho gene is spliced (Figure 1).
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023
These subfamilies are alpha, beta, and gamma.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023
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Annie Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 July 2024
Pit vipers are a subfamily of venomous snakes that have heat-sensing organs in between their eyes and nose, according to the American Museum of Natural History.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
In the 1990s, a group of scientists used molecular analysis to show that skunks and polecats are in different subfamilies despite looking similar.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Subsequent partial gene deletions and fusions sculpted the various protein subfamilies found in rattlesnake venom metalloproteinases.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
After examining the dataset, the team’s program established two wholly independent European and Asian sign language families alongside family trees for each one, as well as two distinct Asian sign language subfamilies.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024
There were dozens of subfamilies distinguished by different types of teeth, diets and reproductive styles.
—Steve Brusatte, Scientific American, 1 June 2022
There are three subfamilies of the klotho protein that are formed depending on how the klotho gene is spliced (Figure 1).
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023
These subfamilies are alpha, beta, and gamma.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near subfamily
Cite this Entry
“Subfamily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subfamily. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
subfamily
noun
sub·fam·i·ly
ˈsəb-ˌfam-(ə-)lē
: a category in biological classification ranking below a family and above a genus
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