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 of habitat

• 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

An unprovoked shark attack is defined by ISAF as when a shark bites a human in its own habitat without any provocation by the human. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 June 2026

These places are like the national parks of the ocean, with beautiful water, healthy habitat and abundant fish. — Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Clear Overgrowth Remove dense vegetation up against the house, which traps moisture and creates a cozy habitat for termites. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 June 2026

The two generally prefer different types of habitat, but both species are adaptable and can be found throughout the state, sometimes in areas not considered prime habitat, like a bathtub, the Game Commission says. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 25 June 2026

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)