sympatric

adjective

sym·pat·ric | \ sim-ˈpa-trik

Definition of sympatric

1 : occurring in the same area

2 : occupying the same geographical range without loss of identity from interbreeding sympatric species also : occurring between populations that are not geographically separated sympatric speciation — compare allopatric

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Examples of sympatric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But other researchers say the research appears to show how sympatric speciation happens—and in this case, happened so quickly. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 25 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sympatric.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for sympatric

sym- + Greek pátra "native country, homeland" (derivative from the stem of patḗr "father") + -ic entry 1 — more at father entry 1

Note: The word was introduced by the British biologist Edward Bagnall Poulton (1856-1943) in the 1903 Presidential Address to the Entomological Society of London, published in the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London for 1903 (London, 1903-04), p. xc.

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