organism

noun

or·gan·ism | \ ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm

Definition of organism

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

2 : 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

Other Words from organism More Example Sentences Learn More about organism

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Other Words from organism

organismic \ ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-mik

\ or less commonly organismal \ ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-məl

\ adjective

organismically \ ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-mi-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Examples of organism in a Sentence

A human being is a complex organism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pressure seems to be a limiting factor for multicellular organisms, like plants and animals. — Eva Botkin-kowacki, The Christian Science Monitor, "NASA eyes the ocean: How the deep sea could unlock outer space," 23 Aug. 2019 But heat is only part of the issue in determining the effect of warming on living organisms; the other primary determinants are humidity and solar radiation. — Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, "Letter: Heat-stress scale includes the impact of sun’s angle," 7 July 2019 The paleosols may even preserve sedimentary DNA shed from ancient organisms. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, "Rising Seas Swallowed Countless Archaeological Sites. Scientists Want Them Back," 20 May 2019 Overall, the genesis of eukaryotes remains mysterious because all eukaryotes alive today arose from an organism that was already complex. — Quanta Magazine, "Researchers Rethink the Ancestry of Complex Cells," 9 Apr. 2019 But in recent decades, scientists have assembled massive amounts of genetic information from organisms collected around the world and stored them in publicly available databases for others to study or use. — Kai Kupferschmidt, Science | AAAS, "Plan to amend biopiracy rules would ‘smother research,’ biologists warn," 3 July 2018 His research also laid the foundation for the earliest experiments on recombinant DNA, which combines genes from different organisms. — Harrison Smith, Washington Post, "Stanley Falkow, microbiologist who studied bacteria and the diseases they cause, dies at 84," 12 May 2018 Rasgon is concerned that the Scientific Reports paper has fueled unfounded suspicions about GM organisms. — Kelly Servick, Science | AAAS, "Study on DNA spread by genetically modified mosquitoes prompts backlash," 17 Sep. 2019 After a season of growth, the soil likely contains rotting roots and disease organisms that could affect new plants. — Tom Maccubbin, orlandosentinel.com, "Fungus causes leaf drop in crape myrtles," 14 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'organism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.