species

noun

spe·cies | \ ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz

, -(ˌ)sēz\

plural species

Definition of species

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : kind, sort

b : a class of individuals having common attributes and designated by a common name specifically : a logical division of a genus or more comprehensive class confessing sins in species and in number

c : the human race : human beings —often used with the survival of the species in the nuclear age

d(1) : a category of biological classification ranking immediately below the genus or subgenus, comprising related organisms or populations potentially capable of interbreeding, and being designated by a binomial that consists of the name of a genus followed by a Latin or latinized uncapitalized noun or adjective agreeing grammatically with the genus name

(2) : an individual or kind belonging to a biological species

e : a particular kind of atomic nucleus, atom, molecule, or ion

2 : the consecrated eucharistic elements of the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Eucharist

3a : a mental image also : a sensible object

b : an object of thought correlative with a natural object

species

adjective

Definition of species (Entry 2 of 2)

: belonging to a biological species as distinguished from a horticultural variety a species rose

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Examples of species in a Sentence

Noun

There are approximately 8,000 species of ants. All European domestic cattle belong to the same species. laws that protect endangered species

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The genetic mutations will spread throughout the population and quickly cause the entire species to go extinct. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Are Testing a Way to Exterminate Mosquitoes for Good," 20 Feb. 2019 Myth 3: Neanderthals were more savage than us Getty Images/Canopy When scientists first recognized Neanderthals as a species slightly different from our own, the species was demonized. — Julia Belluz, Vox, "7 bad science and health ideas that should die with 2018," 26 Dec. 2018 Global warming could be leading to more northerly migrations of shark species, says Skomal. — Cassie Shortsleeve, Condé Nast Traveler, "Should I Worry About Sharks in the Northeast?," 21 Sep. 2018 Thirty years ago, in the book The End of Nature, Bill McKibben proposed the idea of nature—like a species—going extinct. — Jill Kiedaisch, Popular Mechanics, "The Staggering Worldwide Decline of Insects Is a Warning of Ecosystem Collapse," 13 Feb. 2019 As an endangered species, the animals face a number of hurdles to stay alive: the encroaching presence of humans, predators in certain parts of the park, and simply put, just not enough land. — Gabe Bergado, Teen Vogue, "BBC Earth's "Dynasties" Pulls at Heartstrings With the Painted Wolves’ Fight for Survival," 12 Dec. 2018 But one species, Vibrio vulnificus, can do much worse damage. — Bruce Henderson, charlotteobserver, "Be wary of these NC natural wonders this summer," 25 June 2018 On Thursday, President Trump signed into law the farm bill, which contained a provision legalizing hemp, a species of cannabis that CBD can be extracted from but that isn’t psychoactive. — Chavie Lieber, Vox, "Hemp is now legal. That’s huge for the CBD industry.," 20 Dec. 2018 But at the larva stage, blister beetles take a slight detour that brings them in contact with a particular species of bees. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "How Horror Beetles Hitchhike on Bees And Then Eat Their Young," 12 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'species.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

24 Mar 2019

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The first known use of species was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for species

species

noun

English Language Learners Definition of species

biology : a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus

: a particular group of things or people that belong together or have some shared quality

See the full definition for species in the English Language Learners Dictionary

species

noun

spe·cies | \ ˈspē-shēz

, -sēz\

plural species

Kids Definition of species

1 : a group of similar living things that ranks below the genus in scientific classification and is made up of individuals able to produce offspring with one another The one-humped camel is a different species from the two-humped camel.

2 : a class of things of the same kind and with the same name : kind, sort

species

noun

spe·cies | \ ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz

, -(ˌ)sēz

plural species

Medical Definition of species

1a : a category of biological classification ranking immediately below the genus or subgenus, comprising related organisms or populations potentially capable of interbreeding, and being designated by a binomial that consists of the name of the genus followed by a Latin or latinized uncapitalized noun or adjective agreeing grammatically with the genus name

b : an individual or kind belonging to a biological species

2 : a particular kind of atomic nucleus, atom, molecule, or ion production of DNA damage by active oxygen species