hab·i·tat | \ ˈha-bə-ˌtat 
\
\Definition of habitat
1a : 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
Keep scrolling for more
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 on the Web An estimated 2,000 Hainan gibbons remained in the wild during the 1950s, but by the 1970s, habitat loss and hunting had slashed their number to 10 individuals.
—
Mary Bates, National Geographic, "Only 30 of these primates remain on Earth. This simple rope bridge may help.," 15 Oct. 2020 If left alone, most that wander into residential areas will quickly return to their natural habitat.
—
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "With Hibernation Fast Approaching, Wildlife Officials Warn of Increasing Bear Activity," 13 Oct. 2020 But while the protests have focused on concerns over labor rights, environmentalists say the law loosens environmental protections and could lead to widespread deforestation and habitat loss.
—
Helen Regan, CNN, "Indonesia is putting business before the environment and that could be disastrous for its rainforests," 12 Oct. 2020 Environmentalists say the Tongass, the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest, is a critical habitat for Alaska salmon and other wildlife and the heart of a massive fishing and tourism economy.
—
Abby Smith, Washington Examiner, "Daily on Energy, presented by National Clean Energy Week: Congress’ only licensed forester assigns blame for deadly California wildfires," 25 Sep. 2020 The decline is largely because of pesticides, disease and habitat loss.
—
Greg Stanley, Star Tribune, "Minnetonka settles dispute over mountain bike trail through endangered bee haven," 23 Sep. 2020 Chapman said among the concerns he was told of are the alleged habitat of a family of American Bald Eagles that reside a few miles away near the Whole Foods store in Hughes Landing, as well as high levels of traffic congestion and other issues.
—
Jeff Forward, Houston Chronicle, "Proposed development changes on Mitchell Island irks Woodlands residents," 17 Sep. 2020 Much of the habitat loss and deforestation that occurs is driven by food production and consumption.
—
Sophie Lewis, CBS News, "Animal populations worldwide have declined nearly 70% in just 50 years, new report says," 10 Sep. 2020 The path downward gives another look at the swirl tank and brings visitors to the main gallery, to a window the size of a movie screen that offers a panoramic look up into the habitat.
—
al, "Mississippi Aquarium: New attraction poised to be regional draw," 3 Sep. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for habitat
habitat
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of habitat
: the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows
See the full definition for habitat in the English Language Learners Dictionary
habitat
nounhab·i·tat | \ ˈha-bə-ˌtat \
\Kids Definition of habitat
: the place where a plant or animal grows or lives in nature
habitat
nounhab·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)
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on habitat
What made you want to look up habitat? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Namesakes Word Quiz
- Which of the following is a fruit named after a Moroccan seaport?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share habitat
Time Traveler for habitat
The first known use of habitat was in 1796
See more words from the same year