subspecies
noun
sub·spe·cies
ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz 
-sēz
: a subdivision of a species: such as
a
: a category in biological classification that ranks immediately below a species and designates a population of a particular geographic region genetically distinguishable from other such populations of the same species and capable of interbreeding successfully with them where its range overlaps theirs
b
: a named subdivision (such as a race or variety) of a taxonomic species
c
: subgroup sense 1
a political subspecies
Examples of subspecies in a Sentence
There are two subspecies of bison in North America.
Recent Examples on the Web
Several zebra species and giraffe subspecies are native to Kenya.
—
Michelle Watson and Zoe Sottile, CNN, 18 Dec. 2022
Washington moose belong to a subspecies called Shiras moose.
—Vonnai Phair, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Dec. 2022
Today, it is estimated there are more than 1 million of all subspecies flying across North America and eastern Siberia.
—Jake Frederico, The Arizona Republic, 2 Dec. 2022
Scientists, nature enthusiasts and that rare subspecies of humanity obsessed with spiders all come to witness something remarkable: hordes of fuzzy, fist-sized male tarantulas emerging from their burrows to scour the shortgrass prairie for mates.
—David Kelly, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for subspecies
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Michelle Watson and Zoe Sottile, CNN, 18 Dec. 2022
Washington moose belong to a subspecies called Shiras moose.
—Vonnai Phair, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Dec. 2022
Today, it is estimated there are more than 1 million of all subspecies flying across North America and eastern Siberia.
—Jake Frederico, The Arizona Republic, 2 Dec. 2022
Scientists, nature enthusiasts and that rare subspecies of humanity obsessed with spiders all come to witness something remarkable: hordes of fuzzy, fist-sized male tarantulas emerging from their burrows to scour the shortgrass prairie for mates.
—David Kelly, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for subspecies
Cite this Entry
“Subspecies.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subspecies. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subspecies
noun
sub·spe·cies
ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz
-sēz
: a category in biological classification that ranks just below a species and includes a physically recognizable and geographically separate group of individuals whose members can breed successfully with members of other subspecies of the same species where their ranges overlap
Medical Definition
subspecies
noun
sub·spe·cies
ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz, -sēz
: a subdivision of a species: as
a
: a category in biological classification that ranks immediately below a species and designates a population of a particular geographical region genetically distinguishable from other such populations of the same species and capable of interbreeding successfully with them where its range overlaps theirs
b
: a named subdivision (as a race or variety) of a species
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