organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm 
1
: a complex structure of interdependent and subordinate elements whose relations and properties are largely determined by their function in the whole
the nation is not merely the sum of individual citizens at any given time, but it is a living organism, a mystical body … of which the individual is an ephemeral part—
Joseph Rossi
Joseph Rossi2
: an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of parts or organs more or less separate in function but mutually dependent : a living being
a multicellular organism
Examples of organism in a Sentence
A human being is a complex organism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Once animal experts cleaned the organisms off, her weight went down to just over 6 pounds.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Leaky gut can also allow organisms that make up the intestinal microbiome—which are supposed to remain in the intestines—to migrate into the bloodstream and spread infection.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 20 May 2025
However, the tech industry regularly draws lessons from living organisms, striving to build tools and systems that not only learn, adapt and evolve—like artificial intelligence—but can also make decisions and take action in real time, as humans do.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Researchers analyzed microscopic traces left by marine organisms — known as bioerosion — on the surface of the tooth to determine how the ancient people of Valencina acquired it.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for organism
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Saleen Martin, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Leaky gut can also allow organisms that make up the intestinal microbiome—which are supposed to remain in the intestines—to migrate into the bloodstream and spread infection.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 20 May 2025
However, the tech industry regularly draws lessons from living organisms, striving to build tools and systems that not only learn, adapt and evolve—like artificial intelligence—but can also make decisions and take action in real time, as humans do.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Researchers analyzed microscopic traces left by marine organisms — known as bioerosion — on the surface of the tooth to determine how the ancient people of Valencina acquired it.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for organism
Cite this Entry
“Organism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organism. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm
1
: something having many related parts that function together as a whole
2
: an individual living thing that carries on the activities of life by means of organs which have separate functions but are dependent on each other : a living person, plant, or animal
Medical Definition
organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm
: an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of organs separate in function but mutually dependent : a living being
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