habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈha-bə-ˌtat 

1

a

: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows

b

: the typical place of residence of a person or a group

the arctic habitat of the Inuit

c

: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live under surrounding inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)

2

: the place where something is commonly found

… has its natural habitat in university, in government, or in industrial laboratories.

—B. B. Watson

Synonyms of habitat

• home
• territory
• range

Examples of habitat in a Sentence

a forest in California is set aside to preserve the unique brushy, rugged habitat required by nesting California condors

Recent Examples on the Web

These are prime Scottish wild lands—with a diverse and distinctive range of habitats and ecosystems with a rich biodiversity—designed for climbing, fishing, and swimming. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026

Aside from reopening closed sections of the trails and making the system safer and more accessible, the project, much of which is slated for completion in 2026, will help preserve the natural habitat and prevent erosion, officials said. —Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026

Leadership built out a dolphin habitat with five connecting pools, added nearly 200,000 square feet of guest space and expanded its hospital and education areas. —Colbi Edmonds, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026

The badger prefers habitats with short grass, such as fields and pastures. —Michael Guise, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, it inhabits, from habitare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for habitat

• acrobat
• autocrat
• automat
• bundesrat
• bureaucrat
• butterfat
• caveat
• chemostat
• copycat
• cryostat
• democrat
• diplomat

Kids Definition

habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat 

: the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows

Medical Definition

habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat 

1

: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally occurs

the human pubic region is the natural habitat of the crab louse

2

: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live surrounded by inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)