species

noun spe·cies \ ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz , -(ˌ)sēz \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Definition of species

plural species

1 a : 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

3 a : a mental image; also : a sensible object

b : an object of thought correlative with a natural object

See species defined for English-language learners

See species defined for kids

Examples of species in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of species from the Web

This is less of a concern in places where the mosquitoes are an invasive species, but some people have expressed opinions that regional success will lead to widespread use and result in global extinction of the target mosquito species.

— anthony a. james, STAT, "Gene-drive technology must be developed in a safe, ethical way," 10 July 2018
In March , state officials seized and euthanized Crosland's snapping turtle, which are considered an invasive species in Idaho.

— katy moeller, idahostatesman, "Idaho teacher accused of animal cruelty pleads not guilty at court appearance Tuesday," 10 July 2018
That predatory silent roar underwater is the lionfish, an invasive species in the Caribbean that can devastate up to 80 percent of fish in a coral reef in a scant five weeks.

— mark rogers, USA TODAY, "Lionfish in the Caribbean: Destructive menace, delicious dinner," 3 July 2018
The invasive species was first found in Washington’s inland marine waters in August 2016.

— kimberly cauvel, The Seattle Times, "Shell of invasive green crab found in Fidalgo Bay," 1 July 2018
In a Facebook post, the Department of Public Works for Anne Arundel County posted details about the animals, warning that the Chinese mitten crab is an invasive species.

— dana hedgpeth, Washington Post, "If you find this furry crab in Maryland waters, don’t throw it back," 25 June 2018
Giant hogweed is an invasive species that can form huge blisters and burn your skin, biologists say.

— elise takahama, BostonGlobe.com, "This pretty plant is dangerous — and it’s growing in more than a dozen Mass. communities," 21 June 2018
The Pinelands have suffered the tree-munching southern pine beetle, an invasive species from the South now able to thrive further north because of warming.

— frank kummer, Philly.com, "New Jersey is getting hotter faster than most of the U.S. Get ready to move to higher ground," 18 June 2018
An invasive species of Asian plant that can cause blindness is turning up in Virginia, prompting warnings for people to be on the lookout for a 15-foot-tall herb topped with fluffy white flowers.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "Invasive plant found in Virginia: It 'makes poison ivy look like a walk in the park'," 15 June 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.

Origin and Etymology of species

Middle English, from Latin, appearance, kind, species, from specere to look — more at spy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

species Synonyms

Synonyms

bracket, category, class, classification, division, family, genus, grade, group, kind, league, order, rank(s), rubric, set, tier, type;

branch, section, speciality, specialty, subclass, subdivision, subgroup, subspecies, variety;

breed, race;

generation;

heading, label, title;

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

species

adjective

Definition of species

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

a species rose

First Known Use of species

1899

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

SPECIES Defined for English Language Learners

species

noun

Definition of species for English Language Learners

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

SPECIES Defined for Kids

species

noun spe·cies \ ˈspē-shēz , -sēz \

Definition of species for Students

plural 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

Medical Dictionary

species

noun spe·cies \ ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz , -(ˌ)sēz \

medical Definition of species

plural species

1 a : 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