habitat

play

noun hab·i·tat \ˈha-bə-ˌtat\

Definition of habitat

1a : the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and growsb : the typical place of residence of a person or a group the arctic habitat of the Inuitc : 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

See habitat defined for kids

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

STONECUTTERS ISLAND in Hong Kong used to be a favoured habitat for poisonous snakes and eye-catching birds such as the white-bellied sea eagle.

— The Economist, "The other handoverAn illustrious Hong Kong container firm sells to China," 15 July 2017
Their population has recently been in decline, with threats including habitat loss and changes through expanding agriculture and mining and illegal hunting.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "Young giraffe makes a new home in Louisville," 29 June 2017
The penguin habitat, called Cape Fynbos, is a dramatic imitation of Boulders Beach, a real place in South Africa.

— john wilkens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Back Story: San Diego Zoo's new Africa Rocks exhibit," 25 June 2017
Up first Saturday is the habitat the zoo is calling Cape Fynbos, home to the penguins.

— john wilkens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego Zoo gets ready to open $68 million Africa Rocks exhibit," 25 June 2017
The upgrade will improve fish habitat, Petrich said.

— evan bush, The Seattle Times, "Road to snowy and scenic Artist Point will open Thursday, WSDOT says," 23 June 2017
The old model of conservation—acquire large islands of habitat for wildlife and check the box, done—

— ken wells, WSJ, "Wildlife Crossings Get a Whole New Look," 20 June 2017
The proposed ordinance states that since 1991, climate change, habitat loss and increased use of pesticides and a host of other factors has adversely affected the bee population.

— craig lyons, Post-Tribune, "Hammond eases beekeeping restrictions," 13 June 2017
Lolita’s habitat has been certified by the USDA as ‘

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "Is orca Lolita’s tank at the Seaquarium too small? A USDA audit thinks it may be," 7 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

Other Ecology Terms

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

HABITAT Defined for English Language Learners

habitat

play

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

play

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

play

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)