habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈha-bə-ˌtat 

1

a

: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows

b

: the typical place of residence of a person or a group

the arctic habitat of the Inuit

c

: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live under surrounding inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)

2

: the place where something is commonly found

has its natural habitat in university, in government, or in industrial laboratories

—B. B. Watson

Synonyms

• home
• niche
• range
• territory

Example Sentences

a forest in California is set aside to preserve the unique brushy, rugged habitat required by nesting California condors

Recent Examples on the Web

Zoo staff searched near the habitat and the rest of the property but could not find them. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2023

This is simply bad management if the habitat won’t support them. —Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 31 Jan. 2023

All of them are considered to be important bodies of water for the salmon habitat. —Matt Allen, ABC News, 31 Jan. 2023

Per the release, San Diego Zoo Safari Park-goers can pay both the foal and Kurt a visit at the Central Asian savanna habitat along with the rest of their herd. —Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 28 Jan. 2023

The complexity of removing the boat depends on the habitat in which it is found. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2023

In addition to helping manage the LAX Dunes, the Bay Foundation is working in areas like the Strand in Manhattan Beach to expand the El Segundo blue‘s habitat. —Jake Safane, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2023

The door is hinged to swing into the habitat, and must be pushed open by R5. —IEEE Spectrum, 23 Jan. 2023

Zoo staffers also told police about a similar cut in the fencing surrounding the habitat of langur monkeys, though none of the monkeys escaped. —Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Latin, it inhabits, from habitare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat 

: the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows

Medical Definition

habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat 

1

: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally occurs

the human pubic region is the natural habitat of the crab louse

2

: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live surrounded by inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)