spe·cies
ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz 
-(ˌ)sēz
plural species
1
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
: belonging to a biological species as distinguished from a horticultural variety
a species rose
Synonyms
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
Alicia Ault, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2023
Such a large amount of urban expansion could mean key habitat and species losses; a better understanding of urban biodiversity in these places will be needed if losses like these are to be stopped.
—Maria Paula Escobar-Tello, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023
Past that level, the dangers from intense flooding, wildfires, drought, heat waves, and species extinction could become unmanageable, scientists have said.
—Brad Plumer, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources does not list flamingos as a species found in the state.
—Brendan Rascius, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2023
Perhaps our most damning waste legacy is the carbon emissions that have unleashed extreme weather patterns and species loss.
—Matthew King, The New Republic, 18 Aug. 2023
Bird enthusiasts already use apps to snatch melodies out of the air and identify which species is singing.
—Camille Bromley, WIRED, 29 Aug. 2023
Kimsey said the species preys on pollinators and insects, including crickets and grasshoppers.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
Maybe an herb species (not cannabis) or something cuddly, like his cross-stitched pillows.
—Vulture, 16 Aug. 2023
Andrew Joseph, STAT, 29 Apr. 2022
There is plenty of good being done with cross-species gene transfer, too.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2013
Even multi-species sensitivity and kinship.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 20 Aug. 2022
In a rare, cross-species exchange, crows are known to give gifts to humans.
—Rena Kingery, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2021
Ibarra and Littlejohn are multi-species experts who specialize in going after whatever happens to be biting best at the time.
—Matt Williams, Dallas News, 9 Apr. 2022
Blood samples are also taken from the hunters themselves so as to monitor any evidence of cross-species viral infection with their prey.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2011
In this thought-provoking essay, Astra Taylor and Sunaura Taylor call for cross-species solidarity and make a socialist-feminist case for veganism.
—Longreads, 13 Dec. 2022
In addition to providing empirical evidence that bolsters Darwin’s hypothesis of a universal tetrapod signaling system, Filippi hopes the study results will enhance our understanding of cross-species communication and even improve animal welfare.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2017
See More
Noun
Unlike this particular case, specimens housed in museums tend to be a species prototype, which helps in classifying potentially new species.
—Alicia Ault, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2023
Such a large amount of urban expansion could mean key habitat and species losses; a better understanding of urban biodiversity in these places will be needed if losses like these are to be stopped.
—Maria Paula Escobar-Tello, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023
Past that level, the dangers from intense flooding, wildfires, drought, heat waves, and species extinction could become unmanageable, scientists have said.
—Brad Plumer, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources does not list flamingos as a species found in the state.
—Brendan Rascius, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2023
Perhaps our most damning waste legacy is the carbon emissions that have unleashed extreme weather patterns and species loss.
—Matthew King, The New Republic, 18 Aug. 2023
Bird enthusiasts already use apps to snatch melodies out of the air and identify which species is singing.
—Camille Bromley, WIRED, 29 Aug. 2023
Kimsey said the species preys on pollinators and insects, including crickets and grasshoppers.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
Maybe an herb species (not cannabis) or something cuddly, like his cross-stitched pillows.
—Vulture, 16 Aug. 2023
Adjective
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
There is plenty of good being done with cross-species gene transfer, too.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2013
Even multi-species sensitivity and kinship.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 20 Aug. 2022
In a rare, cross-species exchange, crows are known to give gifts to humans.
—Rena Kingery, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2021
Ibarra and Littlejohn are multi-species experts who specialize in going after whatever happens to be biting best at the time.
—Matt Williams, Dallas News, 9 Apr. 2022
Blood samples are also taken from the hunters themselves so as to monitor any evidence of cross-species viral infection with their prey.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2011
In this thought-provoking essay, Astra Taylor and Sunaura Taylor call for cross-species solidarity and make a socialist-feminist case for veganism.
—Longreads, 13 Dec. 2022
In addition to providing empirical evidence that bolsters Darwin’s hypothesis of a universal tetrapod signaling system, Filippi hopes the study results will enhance our understanding of cross-species communication and even improve animal welfare.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2017
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'species.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing species
Articles Related to species
Dictionary Entries Near species
Cite this Entry
“Species.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/species. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
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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
-(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
More from Merriam-Webster on species
Nglish: Translation of species for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of species for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about species
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