biodiversity
noun
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Biodiversity may become the rallying call for the next decade, wrote David Wake in the journal Science in 1989. Indeed, biodiversity is a word you're likely to encounter in writing about ecology and the environment today. But when Wake used it, "biodiversity" was still a relatively new addition to the English language, having first appeared in writing in the mid-1980s. Of course, the roots of biodiversity are much older. It evolved from a commingling of the descendants of the Greek noun bios, which means "mode of life," and the Latin verb divertere, which means "to turn aside" or "to go different ways."
Examples of biodiversity in a Sentence
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026
The discovery has reshaped our understanding of energy flow, biodiversity and habitability in Earth’s deepest and darkest environments.
—New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2025
Scientists say the insects play a critical role in maintaining rainforest biodiversity.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Dec. 2025
Erivo is recognized for her work across the drama and arts space, while Goulding is also recognized for her efforts towards biodiversity and the climate, having worked with the UN as a global environmental ambassador.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for biodiversity
Cite this Entry
“Biodiversity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biodiversity. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
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biodiversity
noun
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