What is the process of grouping organisms into categories known as?

The process of grouping organisms into categories is best known as taxonomy. Taxonomy involves organizing biological diversity into hierarchical categories based on shared characteristics and evolutionary history. It encompasses various activities, including identification, naming, and classifying organisms.

While classification is often used interchangeably with taxonomy, it more specifically refers to the act of arranging organisms into groups or categories based on various criteria. Nomenclature pertains to the naming of organisms, ensuring that each species has a unique and universally accepted scientific name. Phylogeny, on the other hand, refers to the evolutionary relationships and history among organisms, which inform taxonomy but is not synonymous with the process of categorization itself. Therefore, the most accurate term for the entire process is taxonomy.