preoccupied name

noun

In zoological nomenclature, a name which is formally published, but which had already been used for another taxon; this second use is invalid (as are all subsequent uses) and the name must be replaced.

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Meanings

nounpreoccupied name (plural preoccupied names)

plural preoccupied names

  1. biologyIn zoological nomenclature, a name which is formally published, but which had already been used for another taxon; this second use is invalid (as are all subsequent uses) and the name must be replaced.
Cite this entry
APA

preoccupied name. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preoccupied%20name

MLA

“preoccupied name.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preoccupied%20name. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “preoccupied name,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preoccupied%20name.

Source: preoccupied name on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.