clade

noun

: a group of biological taxa (such as species) that includes all descendants of one common ancestor

Examples of clade 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.
These viruses belonged to two clades (genetic lineages): 2.3.2.1c and 2.3.4.4b. John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Scrub mints are a clade – a group of organisms that share a common ancestor. Andre A. Naranjo, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025 On August 15, Sweden confirmed the first case of clade 1 mpox outside of Africa. Judy Stone, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024 Researchers began to detect a few sporadic cases of clade Ia, the longtime variant in endemic regions, in August 2023. Byjon Cohen, science.org, 9 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for clade

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek kládos "branch, sprig, frond," after cladogenesis — more at clado-

Note: The term was introduced by Julian huxley in "The Three Types of Evolutionary Process," Nature, vol. 180, no. 4584 (September 7, 1957), p. 455.

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clade was in 1911

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clade. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on clade

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!