endangered species

noun

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Definition of endangered species

: a species threatened with extinction; broadly : anyone or anything whose continued existence is threatened

Recent Examples of endangered species from the Web

Both Owen and Swaisgood agree that the story of the Chinese panda can help inspire endangered species protection back home.

— cliff kapono, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego Zoo studies return of the giant panda," 6 July 2018
Among those are 63 state and four federally listed threatened and endangered species and species of concern.

— frank abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "Observation deck planned for Winthrop Harbor nature preserve off Lake Michigan," 2 Feb. 2018
Michele Weaver, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife endangered species specialist, said the agency is aware of the general decline in mussels nationally but acknowledged little is known about the overall status of western pearlshell in Oregon.

— OregonLive.com, "Study: Key freshwater mussel not reproducing in Willamette River," 2 Nov. 2017

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