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

Taking advantage of its arboreal habitat, birds were likely on the menu. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 June 2026

The main drivers of tick population growth include climate change, warmer winters and expanding habitats, as these factors allow ticks to survive in greater numbers and spread into new areas. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 June 2026

The Guam kingfisher, known locally as a sihek, was wiped out in its native habitat by the invasive brown tree snake. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 3 June 2026

Additional attractions include a half-acre bird habitat, complete with a swing for kids and thriving wildlife like bumblebees and hummingbirds, as well as educational classes. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 3 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)