SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

biotic potential

noun

Definition of biotic potential

: the inherent capacity of an organism or species to reproduce and survive

1928

First Known Use of biotic potential

1928

Learn More about biotic potential

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about biotic potential

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up biotic potential? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

inanition

play

an exhausted condition

Words at Play

alt-592708149cf54

Don't Catch 'Flack' for Using 'Flak'

How a word for antiaircraft guns came to refer to PR pro

Plural Words With Multiple Spellings

Multiple spellings for "multiple" words.

alt-5924736949123

Does This Common Computer Term Actually Reference Shoes?

These reboots were made for walking

alt-592453dea3986

Read on to Become Part of the Dictionary 'Illuminati'

Secrets will be revealed.

Ask the Editors

Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

The Serial Comma

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

peter-bruegel-tower-of-babel-painting

Where in the World? A Quiz

Do you know what languages these words come from?

Take the quiz

wide-eyed-dog-smelling-rose

What's that Smell?! Quiz

Words for odors and such...

Take the quiz

Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game