1. a division into many parts or branches
Usage: formal; academic

Examples

• The researcher’s polychotomy of the data revealed seven distinct categories.
• Rather than a simple dichotomy, the issue presented a complex polychotomy of viewpoints.
• The polychotomy of the decision tree helped organize the multiple possible outcomes.
• The philosopher argued against reducing the concept to a polychotomy of competing theories.
• The polychotomy of the classification system made it difficult for students to navigate.
• Scientists used polychotomy to break down the complex biological process into manageable parts.