animal

noun an·i·mal \ ˈa-nə-məl \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Definition of animal

1 : any of a kingdom (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms and often many of the single-celled ones (such as protozoans) that typically differ from plants in having cells without cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials (such as proteins), in being organized to a greater degree of complexity, and in having the capacity for spontaneous movement and rapid motor responses to stimulation

2 a : one of the lower animals (see ³lower 3) as distinguished from human beings

b : mammal; broadly : vertebrate

3 : a human being considered chiefly as physical or nonrational; also : this nature

4 : a person with a particular interest or aptitude

a political animal

He's a party animal.

5 : matter, thing

the theater … is an entirely different animal
—Arthur Miller

also : creature 1c

—

animallike

play \-mə(l)-ˌlīk\ adjective

See animal defined for English-language learners

See animal defined for kids

Examples of animal in a Sentence

the animals in the zoo
the plants and animals of the forest
She loves all kinds of animals.
Fish, birds, insects, reptiles, mammals, and human beings are all animals.
You're all behaving like a bunch of animals.

Recent Examples of animal from the Web

Certainly, the plants and animals that live along the shore will not be able to adapt and there will be losses as the water — slowly but surely — creeps farther inland.

— dave epstein, BostonGlobe.com, "Tidal flooding is expected to become more routine as sea levels rise," 16 June 2018
Portman is also a long-time animal and environmental activist.

— CBS News, "Natalie Portman documentary "Eating Animals" explores rise of so-called factory farming," 15 June 2018
Here is how to identify when a study finding could change your life: Does the study involve humans or animals?

— ashley may, USA TODAY, "Is coffee healthy or not: How to know if medical studies are worth your time," 15 June 2018
Oak Hill has backed other companies that serve animals and their owners.

— laura cooper, WSJ, "Oak Hill Leads Recapitalization of VetCor," 15 June 2018
The trend held across continents, habitats, types of animals and even types of human activity.

— amina khan, latimes.com, "All around the world, humans are forcing other mammals to be more active at night," 15 June 2018
The coyote was seen by Leigh Ann Moreno, who posted a Nextdoor warning to neighbors about the animal and shared a video with Chron.com.

— dana burke, Houston Chronicle, "Coyote caught looking for snack of garbage in Pearland neighborhood," 15 June 2018
There are precious few horses that will do that, since horses are herd animals and want to stay together, but Buddy never was one of a herd.

— lisa scottoline, Philly.com, "Learning lessons, and letting my pony go | Lisa Scottoline," 14 June 2018
But destruction and degradation of rainforests drive extinction and threaten the plants and animals that live there.

— alejandro arteaga, National Geographic, "These 5 New Snake Species Suck Snails Out of Their Shells," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'animal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Latin anima means “breath” or “soul,” and animalis, the adjective that comes from it, means “having breath or soul.” An animal such as a cat or dog can be seen to breathe. Plants breathe too, by taking in certain gases from the atmosphere and releasing others. However, this process cannot be observed by the naked eye. So the noun animal, which comes from animalis, was borrowed from Latin for that group of living beings that breathe visibly.

Origin and Etymology of animal

Latin, from animale, neuter of animalis animate, from anima soul — more at animate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

animal Synonyms

Synonyms

beast, beastie, brute, creature, critter;

Related Words

varmint, vermin;

biped, quadruped;

carnivore, herbivore, insectivore;

invertebrate, vertebrate;

domestic animal, pet;

livestock, stock;

Other Zoology Terms

altruism, integument

animal

adjective

Definition of animal

1 : of, relating to, resembling, or derived from animals

animal instincts

animal behavior

2 a : of or relating to the physical or sentient as contrasted with the intellectual or rational

b : sensual, fleshly

indulged his animal appetites

3 : of or relating to the animal pole of an egg or to the part from which ectoderm normally develops

—

animally

play \-mə-lē\ adverb

See animal defined for English-language learners

Examples of animal in a Sentence

several different plant and animal species
milk, meat, and other animal products
People were shocked by the animal brutality of the attack.

Recent Examples of animal from the Web

These private groups showcase more than just animal parts.

— issie lapowsky, WIRED, "Tusks, Horns, and Claws: The Fight to Dismantle the Facebook Animal Parts Bazaar," 5 June 2018
So mushrooms are messing with our minds and probably animal minds.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Author Michael Pollan on Recode Decode," 22 May 2018
Most are animal studies; human studies typically have small sample sizes of fewer than 25 people.

— anne marie chaker, WSJ, "Collagen, a Wrinkle-Cream Staple, Catches On in Foods," 14 May 2018
The law also doesn't cover animal races, such as horse racing, which many states already allow.

— associated press, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Supreme Court ruling clears way for legalized sports betting," 14 May 2018
Reducing human beings to animals is a timeworn method for oppression, and for African-Americans in particular, animal rhetoric has been a long-standing tool of white supremacy.

— sonia saraiya, HWD, "The Survival Instincts of Atlanta’s Flawless Second Season," 11 May 2018
Carter can now tell you in detail the construction of the colon and the pancreas, and how animal meat and fat can play havoc there.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Why former NFL lineman David Carter switched to a completely plant-based diet (photos, recipe)," 2 May 2018
Residents, their guests and sometimes animal companions are out and about, enjoying the warm sunshine and recreational amenities.

— pamela dittmer mckuen, chicagotribune.com, "Pools, grills, pets: Summertime considerations for community associations," 13 July 2017
The bacteria comes from human and animal waste, and its presence indicates an increased likelihood of disease-causing organisms.

— molly sullivan and cathie anderson, sacbee, "Girl, 16, sickened as E. coli outbreak hits Sacramento region | The Sacramento Bee," 25 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of animal

see ¹animal

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1581

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

animal Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of animal

carnal, fleshly, sensual, animal mean having a relation to the body. carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person's lower nature.

- a slave to carnal desires

fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

- a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual.

- fleshpots providing sensual delights

animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

- led a mindless animal existence

Other Zoology Terms

altruism, integument

ANIMAL Defined for English Language Learners

animal

noun

Definition of animal for English Language Learners

: a living thing that is not a human being or plant
: any living thing that is not a plant
: a person who behaves in a wild, aggressive, or unpleasant way

animal

adjective

Definition of animal for English Language Learners

: of or relating to animals
: coming from the bodies of animals
: of or relating to the body and not to the mind

ANIMAL Defined for Kids

animal

noun an·i·mal \ ˈa-nə-məl \

Definition of animal for Students

1 : any member of the kingdom of living things (as earthworms, crabs, birds, and people) that differ from plants typically in being able to move about, in not having cell walls made of cellulose, and in depending on plants and other animals as sources of food

2 : any of the animals lower than humans in the natural order

the animals in the zoo

3 : mammal

the birds and animals of the forest

Word Root of animal

The Latin word anima, meaning “breath” or “spirit,” gives us the root anim. Words from the Latin anima have something to do with having breath or spirit. An animal is a living creature that breathes and can move around on its own. To animate something is to give it breath or life. Someone magnanimous has a courageous spirit.

Medical Dictionary

animal

noun an·i·mal \ ˈan-ə-məl \

medical Definition of animal

1 : any of a kingdom (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms and often many of the single-celled ones (as protozoans) that typically differ from plants in having cells without cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials (as proteins), in being organized to a greater degree of complexity, and in having the capacity for spontaneous movement and rapid motor response to stimulation

2 a : one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beings

b : mammal; broadly : vertebrate