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

Among the most vulnerable organisms to this change are the world’s corals. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024

Peering inside this organism is at times quite revealing. —Anil Ananthaswamy, Quanta Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024

Because of the widespread use of PFAS, these chemicals are now present in water, soil and living organisms and can be found across almost every part of the planet, including Arctic glaciers, marine mammals, remote communities living on subsistence diets and in 98% of the American public. —Kathryn Crawford, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2024

Even if millions of cells are destroyed this way, these actions protect the whole organism. —Jessica Dulong, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024

Will tree-like organisms that harness photosynthesis evolve on exoearths? —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Healthy people who are infected with the organism may experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024

Damp places, and even open meadows that have seen lots of rain this winter are now sprouting with these fascinating organisms. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024

Within and outside the path of totality, citizen scientists snapped pictures of organisms’ reactions to the event, then uploaded them to iNaturalist’s page for the project, organized by the California Academy of Sciences. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 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