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

Diatomaceous earth is an organic powder that consists of the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms, called diatoms. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Get Rid of Termites," 8 Jan. 2019 When those pits become flooded, the sewage can flow into other areas and threaten the public water supply with a variety of bacteria and disease-causing micro-organisms. — Madeline Farber, Fox News, "Hurricane Florence could flood manure pits, contaminating drinking water, experts warn," 13 Sep. 2018 Scientists really are talking about Lamarck again, and while not everyone agrees, there is increasing buzz that in the microbial world, genetics—not epigenetics—sometimes allows organisms to acquire adaptive changes and pass them on. — John Hawks, WSJ, "‘Lamarck’s Revenge’ Review: Inheriting the Wrong Ideas," 16 Aug. 2018 Insecticides are used for insect control, herbicides are used in weed control and fungicides control fungal organisms. — Dan Gill, NOLA.com, "How to keep insects, weeds and diseases out of your South Louisiana garden," 24 May 2018 One of the newest products, GrubHALT, uses a naturally-occurring soil organism. — Jill Gleeson, Country Living, "How to Get Rid of Those Pesky Moles in Your Yard," 30 Jan. 2019 The maggots tunnel in roots, killing plants directly or by creating entryways for disease organisms. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "The 10 Most Destructive Garden Insects and How to Get Rid of Them," 10 July 2018 Then you’re secretly in love with plankton, tiny marine organisms that float around at the mercy of currents. — Matt Simon, WIRED, "Robot Microscopes Demystify Plankton, the Sea's Most Vital Residents," 22 Mar. 2018 In Darwinian evolution, organisms that are well-adapted to their environments flourish and crowd out those that aren’t. — James Degregori, STAT, "Using the principles of evolution to treat and prevent cancer," 27 June 2018

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.