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
• territory
• range

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

Located in one of the most biologically diverse regions of the continental United States, the San Elijo Lagoon Reserve provides critical habitat for a wide range of wildlife. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025

Others urge for the conservation of the bears’ habitat, and there was even a sanctuary, Libearty Bear Sanctuary, created for them in Zarnesti, according to the outlet. —Sam Gillette, People.com, 4 July 2025

Lobsters, grouper, snapper, snook and myriad other marine animals use the reef as habitat. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025

While the boat incident put a spotlight on the area’s sensitive habitat, coastal advocates are also reminding people that fireworks are banned not just offshore, but also at Huntington State Beach, throughout all of Newport Beach, and along the coast of Huntington Beach. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 3 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, it inhabits, from habitare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for habitat

• acrobat
• autocrat
• automat
• bundesrat
• bureaucrat
• butterfat
• caveat
• chemostat
• copycat
• cryostat
• democrat
• diplomat

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)