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

The paper prompted nearly a hundred scientists and ethicists from around the world to gather in Paris in June to further discuss the risks of creating mirror organisms. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025

Signals, Contribution, and the Meaning of Work In biology, signaling is how organisms demonstrate their fitness, reliability, or intentions. —Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

The amoebas are soil organisms that get washed into the warm water and multiply there. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025

As a science journalist and ocean explorer, she's investigated misinformation campaigns on social media, embedded in Alaskan archaeological digs, and contributed to the discovery of deep-sea organisms in the Central Pacific. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

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