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

In many other states, however, homeowners report continuing conflicts with HOAs, including over xeriscaping in Utah, native wildflowers in Texas and habitat for monarch butterflies in Virginia. — Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026

Scientists are studying how to target their application—to certain habitats or certain times of the year—to minimize harm to other bugs. — Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026

For 30 years, the Festival of Butterflies has invited guests to walk among tropical and native butterflies while learning about the insects’ life cycles, habitats and role as pollinators. — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Positive Reactions from Wildlife Advocates Stephanie Wein, water and conservation advocate at the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center, said the state has lacked a unified way to address fragmented habitat and wildlife corridors. — Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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)