superorganism
noun
su·per·or·gan·ism
ˌsü-pər-ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm 
: an organized society (as of a social insect) that functions as an organic whole
Examples of superorganism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Being a member of a superorganism and also sentient [is notable].
—
Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
By actively signaling infection at a terminal stage, ant pupae help maintain the health of their superorganism, even at the cost of their own lives.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 24 Dec. 2025
Theta Noir, launched in 2020, choreographs performance-art rituals around a speculative AGI named MENA, describing it as a superorganism that unites carbon- and silicon-based life.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
But though superorganism behavior is uncommon across the tree of life, worm towers themselves are surprisingly commonplace.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
Emergent behavior is the principle of a superorganism.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2025
But, in fact, this superorganism is also quite various.
—Lydia Davis, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024
The ants are biological marvels, living in enormous colonies that function as a single superorganism.
—Emily Anthes Todd Heisler, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2023
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Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
By actively signaling infection at a terminal stage, ant pupae help maintain the health of their superorganism, even at the cost of their own lives.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 24 Dec. 2025
Theta Noir, launched in 2020, choreographs performance-art rituals around a speculative AGI named MENA, describing it as a superorganism that unites carbon- and silicon-based life.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
But though superorganism behavior is uncommon across the tree of life, worm towers themselves are surprisingly commonplace.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
Emergent behavior is the principle of a superorganism.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2025
But, in fact, this superorganism is also quite various.
—Lydia Davis, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024
The ants are biological marvels, living in enormous colonies that function as a single superorganism.
—Emily Anthes Todd Heisler, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Superorganism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superorganism. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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