vivarium

noun

vi·​var·​i·​um vī-ˈver-ē-əm 

plural vivaria vī-ˈver-ē-ə  or vivariums

: a terrarium used especially for small animals

Examples of vivarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In biology, that reality is generated by pipettes and a vivarium full of mice, not scraped from the internet. — Lutz Finger, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

At the college, she is kept in a quiet vivarium where students can observe her habits and learn how to rear baby snakes. — Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026

Highlights include the massive blue whale model, mind-boggling dinosaur exhibits, and the Richard Gilder Center, which features an insectarium and butterfly vivarium. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026

For Hispanic Heritage Month, the museum's butterfly vivarium and rainforest exhibit will highlight the science, history and culture of monarch butterflies and chocolate. — Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, park, preserve, from vivus alive — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vivarium

• cerium
• aquarium
• herbarium
• ovarium
• puparium
• samarium
• solarium
• zoarium
• armamentarium
• honorarium
• planetarium
• sanitarium

Kids Definition

vivarium

noun

vi·​var·​i·​um vī-ˈvar-ē-əm 

-ˈver-

plural vivaria

-ē-ə

or vivariums

: a terrarium used especially for small animals

Medical Definition

vivarium

noun

vi·​var·​i·​um vī-ˈvar-ē-əm, -ˈver- 

plural vivaria -ē-ə  or vivariums

: an enclosure for keeping or raising and observing animals especially for laboratory research