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

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

organismic

ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-mik 

adjective

or less commonly organismal

ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-məl 

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

Paleontologists have been able to detect qualitative shifts—entire groups of organisms vanishing—as well as calculate the details of the shifts, such as how many species within a surviving group became extinct. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 July 2024

Wen: Undercooked meat contains a lot of infectious organisms. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 4 July 2024

Turbidity could provide a medium for microbes to grow and could indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms, the water authority says. —Nbc Washington, NBC News, 4 July 2024

The only task for a science of consciousness is explaining behavior, not just the external behavior of the organism but also that of its inner parts. —Philip Goff, Scientific American, 3 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing organism

• mycoplasma-like organism
• pleuropneumonia-like organism

Kids 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

organismic

ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-mik 

adjective

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

organismic

ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-mik 

adjective

also organismal

-məl 

organismically

-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb