species

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

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

The federal government has announced a review of the status of the tiny Aleutian shield fern, which barely survives between the rocks and hard places of Adak Island and is the only plant in Alaska on the endangered species list.

— yereth rosen, Alaska Dispatch News, "This ultra-rare plant that only grows on Adak is getting new attention," 15 Aug. 2017
Thanks to extensive restoration efforts, the peregrine was removed from the nationwide endangered species list in 1999.

— michigan wildlife council, Detroit Free Press, "Peregrine falcons back from brink of extinction," 7 Aug. 2017
But the notion of wiping out an entire species or unleashing a gene that could spread like wildfire through a population has also bred controversy.

— kelly servick, Science | AAAS, "How will we keep controversial gene drive technology in check?," 19 July 2017
Changes in that gene in mice cause that species to be hypersocial as well.

— elizabeth pennisi, Science | AAAS, "What makes dogs so friendly? Study finds genetic link to super-outgoing people," 19 July 2017
Each species has its own distinctive receptors, and by swapping these around, Ostrov’s team could tune baker’s yeast to the scents of other fungi.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "Turning Baker’s Yeast Into a Disease Sensor," 18 July 2017
Furthermore, the idea that the recumbirostrans in question are especially caecilian-like assumes that a specific subset of taxa – perhaps even a single species – possesses the caecilian-like features in question.

— darren naish, Scientific American Blog Network, "The Microsaurs of Yore," 7 July 2017
The roots of this malady reside deep within our genetic lineage as a species.

— philip chard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Genuine connection, not social media, is the antidote for loneliness," 1 July 2017
As a species, we are gathered around more interstellar mailboxes than ever before, waiting eagerly for a letter to arrive.

— steven johnson, New York Times, "Greetings, E.T. (Please Don’t Murder Us.)," 28 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

species Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

description, feather, ilk, kidney, like, manner, nature, sort; 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

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

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