life-form

noun

ˈlīf-ˈfȯrm 

-ˌfȯrm

: the body form that characterizes a kind of organism (such as a species) at maturity

also : a kind of organism

Examples of life-form in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of the life-forms that live in these depths are reliant on the polymetallic nodules, which form ever so gradually through chemical processes that cause metals to precipitate out of water around shell fragments and shark teeth, according to the Natural History Museum. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024

Others see messianic potential in the new life-forms, assuming that their greater technological capabilities must be accompanied by greater enlightenment. —Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024

Anything salvaged would need to be carefully checked for contamination from Earth's soils and life-forms. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 6 Dec. 2023

Perhaps the most reliable path to genuine restoration of our planet is to heed the wisdom of Indigenous communities around the world who look upon other life-forms as relatives instead of resources. —Chirag Dhara, Scientific American, 8 Nov. 2023

But what about humbler life-forms that don’t readily inspire the same emotions — insects, fungi, worms, rodents — that may nonetheless be no less important in their ecosystems? —Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023

To do what’s right (which involves blowing up the Death Star-like Nomad), Joshua must wrap his mind around the idea that AI are sentient, emotional life-forms. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 26 Sep. 2023

Following Aristotle, Linnaeus placed all life-forms in three kingdoms: animal, vegetable, and mineral. —Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023

And even within those ancient environments, most life-forms never made it into the fossil record. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above