zoology

noun

zo·​ol·​o·​gy zō-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce zoology (audio) zə-ˈwä- How to pronounce zoology (audio)
1
: a branch of biology concerned with the classification and the properties and vital phenomena of animals
2
a
: animal life (as of a region) : fauna
b
: the properties and vital phenomena exhibited by an animal, animal type, or group
zoologist
zō-ˈä-lə-jist How to pronounce zoology (audio)
zə-ˈwä-
noun

Examples of zoology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Rao took over, and replaced required courses in botany and zoology with genetics and molecular biology. — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Following a stint as a zoology major, Hylands switched over to theater arts after his school started a new program. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 There’s a certain amount of truth in that sentiment, according to David Hone, a paleontologist and reader in zoology at Queen Mary University of London. — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 July 2026 Here is the part of the story that has come to matter most to me—and like the moment of the first jump, it's best understood as parable rather than zoology. — Daniela Landherr, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for zoology

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin zoologia "study of animals" (in early use often in reference to animals as the source of medicines), from zoo- zoo- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of zoology was in 1663

Rhymes for zoology

See All Rhymes for zoology

Browse Nearby Words

zoologize
zoology
zoom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zoology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zoology. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

zoology

noun
zo·​ol·​o·​gy zō-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce zoology (audio) zə-ˈwäl- How to pronounce zoology (audio)
: a branch of biology concerned with the animal kingdom and animal life

Medical Definition

zoology

noun
zo·​ol·​o·​gy zō-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce zoology (audio)
plural zoologies
1
: a branch of biology that deals with the classification and the properties and vital phenomena of animals
2
: the properties and vital phenomena exhibited by an animal, animal type, or group

More from Merriam-Webster on zoology

Nglish: Translation of zoology for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All