habitat

noun hab·i·tat \ ˈha-bə-ˌtat \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of habitat

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

See habitat defined for English-language learners

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Examples of habitat in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of habitat from the Web

If the bird remains on the beach, which lacks the shallow water habitat where the birds usually forage for food, Boykin said his staff would keep an eye on it for signs of distress.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Something besides nudists showed up at Haulover Beach: a rare flamingo | Miami Herald," 16 May 2018
Sierra Negra, Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands: The Galapagos archipelago delivers remote volcanic habitats, an array of invigorating activities and the blue-footed booby.

— giannella m. garrett, chicagotribune.com, "When planning a hike on an active volcano, safety before spectacle," 11 May 2018
The nature center has displays of wetland and forest habitats, wildlife.

— Houston Chronicle, "Houston nature centers and preserves," 10 May 2018
Greater sage grouse populations drastically declined in recent decades, because of energy development that broke up the bird's habitat, along with disease, livestock grazing, and other causes.

— matthew brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "Lawsuits target oil and gas leases in fight for imperiled sage grouse," 1 May 2018
Zoos and aquariums also help finance conservation efforts, spending hundreds of millions of dollars annually on research efforts in breeding, habitat, and veterinary science.

— robin ganzert, Fortune, "Commentary: Want to Save the Earth? Start With Your Local Zoo.," 22 Apr. 2018
The rescue would be costly, require specialized equipment and new habitat, and needed to be accomplished ASAP.

— azcentral, "Vintage neon smiling bear sign in Phoenix saved from wrecking ball," 20 Apr. 2018
Attendees will explore the spring woods along Ferson Creek during this guided hike and look for the first wildflowers, animal habitats, tracks and more.

— joy davis, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora event to celebrate city's ethnic food traditions," 19 Apr. 2018
Park rangers everywhere would rather concentrate on conservation, preserving habitats, and guiding visitors.

— tristan mcconnell, GQ, "The Bloody Toll of Congo's Elephant Wars," 16 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of habitat

Latin, it inhabits, from habitare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1796

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

habitat Synonyms

Synonyms

home, niche, range, territory;

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

HABITAT Defined for English Language Learners

habitat

noun

Definition of habitat for English Language Learners

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

HABITAT Defined for Kids

habitat

noun hab·i·tat \ ˈha-bə-ˌtat \

Definition of habitat for Students

: the place where a plant or animal grows or lives in nature

Medical Dictionary

habitat

noun hab·i·tat \ ˈhab-ə-ˌtat \

medical Definition of habitat

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)

Learn More about habitat

See words that rhyme with habitat Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for habitat Spanish Central: Translation of habitat Nglish: Translation of habitat for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of habitat for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about habitat

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habitat

Definition of habitat

Examples of habitat in a Sentence

Recent Examples of habitat from the Web

Origin and Etymology of habitat

habitat Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Ecology Terms

HABITAT Defined for English Language Learners

habitat

Definition of habitat for English Language Learners

HABITAT Defined for Kids

habitat

Definition of habitat for Students

Medical Dictionary

habitat

medical Definition of habitat

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