species

1 of 2

noun

spe·​cies ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz 

-(ˌ)sēz

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

species

2 of 2

adjective

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

a species rose

Synonyms

Noun

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

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

Scientists have proposed dozens of distinct species concepts – some scholars have counted over 32 ways to define a species – and each draws the lines a little differently. —Elay Shech, The Conversation, 30 May 2025

These threats are climate change, land and sea use change, species overexploitation, pollution and invasive species. —Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Adjective

Hybrid speciation, in which a new species originates from a cross-species pairing, has been documented in butterflies, fish, toads and dolphins. —Rebecca Heisman, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024

To come up with their estimates, the researchers linked their findings about newly suitable habitats for different species with biological patterns of cross-species transmission. —Andrew Joseph, STAT, 29 Apr. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1899, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing species

• endangered species
• invasive species
• keystone species
• sibling species
• type species

Rhymes for species

• interspecies
• multispecies
• subspecies

Kids Definition

species

noun

spe·​cies

ˈspē-shēz,

-sēz

plural species

1

: a class of things of the same kind and with the same name : kind

2

: a category of living things that ranks below a genus, is made up of related individuals able to produce fertile offspring, and is identified by a two-part scientific name

Medical Definition

species

noun

spe·​cies ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz  -(ˌ)sēz 

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

production of DNA damage by active oxygen species