# Ontology — The semantic layer

> A shared vocabulary for toxicology.

The ToxIndex ontology gives the platform a shared, machine-readable vocabulary and connects it to the wider semantic web. It is permissively licensed and actively iterated, so workflows, endpoints, and data all speak the same language.

## Key facts
- **v1** — published and versioned
- **Open** — permissively licensed
- **Semantic** — web interoperable

## What Ontology does

### One vocabulary
Endpoints, study types, and workflows map to shared terms instead of ad-hoc labels.

### Interoperable
It connects ToxIndex to the broader semantic web, so data travels beyond our walls.

### Open and evolving
Permissively licensed and iterated in the open, for the field to build on.

## Works closely with
- [Flow](https://toxindex.com/platform/flow.md): Reproducible workflow engine
- [Yard](https://toxindex.com/platform/yard.md): Raw data warehouse
- [Kiln](https://toxindex.com/platform/kiln.md): Curated database layer

## Frequently asked questions

**What is the ToxIndex ontology?**

It is a shared, machine-readable vocabulary that lets workflows, endpoints, and data across the platform speak the same language.

**Is the ontology open?**

Yes. It is permissively licensed, versioned, and iterated in the open, and it connects ToxIndex to the wider semantic web.

**Why does an ontology matter for toxicology?**

A shared vocabulary means a study type or endpoint carries the same term everywhere, so data stays interoperable inside and beyond the platform.

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Canonical page: https://toxindex.com/platform/ontology