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

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

By splitting into conglomerates, these companies often maintain the defensive financing advantages of relying on internal capital while allowing for corporate speciation of their divisions. —Radu Magdin, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

The mountain range provides a geographical barrier between the new species and related scorpions, allowing for speciation, or the development of new species, researchers said. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 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)