typology

noun

ty·​pol·​o·​gy tī-ˈpä-lə-jē 

plural typologies

1

: study of or analysis or classification based on types or categories

2

: a doctrine of theological types

especially : one holding that things in Christian belief are prefigured or symbolized by things in the Old Testament

typologist

tī-ˈpä-lə-jist 

noun

Examples of typology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Melville’s book includes lengthy digressions on the typology of whales; the symbolic significance of white; the existing paintings and etchings of whales; and the history of fatal encounters with whales, among other topics. —Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026

The backstory The hotel was originally built in 1985 in the garden atrium typology by acclaimed architect Kenneth Treister. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2026

But in Aristotle’s typology, where virtue is a mean between two opposing extremes, the opposite of a vice tends to be another vice. —Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

The Mynt rethinks the typology from the ground up with a form-forward silhouette that supports the body without looking out of place with the rest of your space. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for typology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

Medical Definition

typology

noun

ty·​pol·​o·​gy tī-ˈpäl-ə-jē 

plural typologies

: study of or study based on types

especially : classification (as of personality, human physique, or bacterial strains) based on the comparative study of types

typological

ˌtī-pə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective