speciation

noun

spe·​ci·​a·​tion ˌspē-shē-ˈā-shən 

-sē-

: the process of biological species formation

speciate

ˈspē-shē-ˌāt 

-sē-

intransitive verb

speciational

ˌspē-shē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-sē-

adjective

Examples of speciation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over time, these populations, separated by geographic barriers like mountains and rivers, evolve into different species in a process called allopatric speciation. —Lauren Liebhaber july 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2025

Genome analyses suggest recent speciation and postglacial isolation in the Norwegian lemming As the marketing coordinator at Discover Magazine, Stephanie Edwards interacts with readers across Discover's social media channels and writes digital content. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2025

This knowledge enhances our understanding of speciation and extinction in the animal kingdom. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025

The researchers say that their finding that evolutionary ease is itself an innovation that fosters speciation is not limited to African cichlids. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for speciation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

speciation

noun

spe·​ci·​a·​tion ˌspē-shē-ˈā-shən 

-sē-

: the formation of a new species (as that occurring as a result of isolation in a geographic area)