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
2a : one of the lower animals (see 3lower 3) as distinguished from human beingsb : 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
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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.
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
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Zoology Terms
animal
Definition of animal
1 : of, relating to, resembling, or derived from animals animal instincts animal behavior
2a : of or relating to the physical or sentient as contrasted with the intellectual or rationalb : 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
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.
Origin and Etymology of animal
see 1animal
First Known Use: 1581
Synonym Discussion of animal
Other Zoology Terms
ANIMAL Defined for English Language Learners
animal
playDefinition of animal for English Language Learners
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: a living thing that is not a human being or plant
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: any living thing that is not a plant
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: a person who behaves in a wild, aggressive, or unpleasant way
animal
Definition of animal for English Language Learners
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: of or relating to animals
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: coming from the bodies of animals
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: of or relating to the body and not to the mind
ANIMAL Defined for Kids
animal
playDefinition 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
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
2a: one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beingsb: mammal; broadly : vertebrate
animal
Medical Definition of animal
1: of, relating to, or derived from animals
2: of or relating to the animal pole of an egg or to the part from which ectoderm normally develops
Learn More about animal
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for animal Spanish Central: Translation of animal Nglish: Translation of animal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of animal for Arabic speakers
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