phy·lum   (fī'ləm)    n.   pl. phy·la (-lə) Biology A primary division of a kingdom, as of the animal kingdom, ranking next above a class in size. See Table at taxonomy. Linguistics A large division of possibly genetically related families of languages or linguistic stocks. [New Latin phȳlum, from Greek phūlon, class; see bheuə- in Indo-European roots.]

Main Entry: phy·lum
Pronunciation: 'fI-l&m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural phy·la /-l&/
: a majorgroup of animals or in some classifications plants sharing one or more fundamental characteristics that set them apart from all other animals and plants and forming a primary category of the animal orplant kingdom phylum Arthropoda>

phylum phy·lum (fī'ləm)
n. pl. phy·la (-lə)
A taxonomic category that is a primary division of a kingdom and ranks above a class in size.

phylum   (fī'ləm)  Pronunciation Key  Plural phyla A group of organisms ranking above a class and below a kingdom. See Table at taxonomy.