organism

1 of 2

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

organismic

2 of 2

adjective

or·​ga·​nis·​mic ¦ȯ(r)gə¦nizmik 

variants or less commonly organismal

-məl 

1

: of or belonging or relating to an organism especially as a functional whole

2

: of or relating to organicism or organic mechanism : holistic

the organismic theory of the state

organismically

-mə̇k(ə)lē 

adverb

Examples of organism in a Sentence

Noun

A human being is a complex organism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

During the Cambrian explosion, a geologically brief period lasting approximately 53 million years, organisms became more intelligent, biodiversity surged, predators hunted, prey evaded and complex ecosystems emerged. — Bratin Saha, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

This system would have used the same genetic code—the correspondence between nucleic acid sequence and protein sequence—as that used by all organisms today. — Philip Ball, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026

As water moves through their gills, it is filtered for microscopic organisms that these mollusks then consume as food. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

This is why the Cubs derisively describe Wrigley View Rooftop as a parasite, an organism whose survival depends on the host and that takes from the host without giving back. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing organism

• genetically modified organism
• mycoplasma-like organism
• pleuropneumonia-like organism

Rhymes for organism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

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