subspecies

noun

sub·​spe·​cies ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz 

-sēz

: a subdivision of a species: such as

a

: a category in biological classification that ranks immediately below a species and designates a population of a particular geographic region genetically distinguishable from other such populations of the same species and capable of interbreeding successfully with them where its range overlaps theirs

b

: a named subdivision (such as a race or variety) of a taxonomic species

c

: subgroup sense 1

a political subspecies

subspecific

ˌsəb-spi-ˈsi-fik 

adjective

Examples of subspecies in a Sentence

There are two subspecies of bison in North America.

Recent Examples on the Web

Several zebra species and giraffe subspecies are native to Kenya. —Michelle Watson and Zoe Sottile, CNN, 18 Dec. 2022

Nearly 1,200 rare and endangered species and subspecies are represented. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

subspecies

noun

sub·​spe·​cies ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz 

-sēz

: a category in biological classification that ranks just below a species and includes a physically recognizable and geographically separate group of individuals whose members can breed successfully with members of other subspecies of the same species where their ranges overlap

subspecific

ˌsəb-spi-ˈsif-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

subspecies

noun

sub·​spe·​cies ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz, -sēz 

: a subdivision of a species: as

a

: a category in biological classification that ranks immediately below a species and designates a population of a particular geographical region genetically distinguishable from other such populations of the same species and capable of interbreeding successfully with them where its range overlaps theirs

b

: a named subdivision (as a race or variety) of a species

subspecific

ˌsəb-spi-ˈsif-ik 

adjective