interspecific
adjective
in·ter·spe·cif·ic
ˌin-tər-spi-ˈsi-fik 
variants
or less commonly interspecies
ˌin-tər-ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz
-(ˌ)sēz
: existing, occurring, or arising between species
an interspecific hybrid
Examples of interspecific in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gao’s equation becomes less accurate as interspecific interactions become stronger.
—
Anna Gibbs, Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2023
Scientists classify conflicts in two ways: Those encounters between members of different species are called interspecific conflicts, and those that occur within the same species — sometimes even within specific clans or families — are intraspecific.
—Sarah Jay, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2022
These cultivars have been proven to be interspecific hybrids through testing and laboratory analysis.
—Homes & Gardens Of The Northwest Staff, OregonLive.com, 29 July 2017
The study, published Tuesday in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, adds a demented twist to scientists’ understanding of interspecific competition—
—John Hoogland, National Geographic, 23 Mar. 2016
For Chernobyl birds, color is a curse [Los Angeles Times]
Determinants of interspecific variation in population declines of birds after exposure to radiation at Chernobyl [Journal of Applied Ecology]
—Brandon Keim, WIRED, 16 July 2007
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Anna Gibbs, Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2023
Scientists classify conflicts in two ways: Those encounters between members of different species are called interspecific conflicts, and those that occur within the same species — sometimes even within specific clans or families — are intraspecific.
—Sarah Jay, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2022
These cultivars have been proven to be interspecific hybrids through testing and laboratory analysis.
—Homes & Gardens Of The Northwest Staff, OregonLive.com, 29 July 2017
The study, published Tuesday in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, adds a demented twist to scientists’ understanding of interspecific competition—
—John Hoogland, National Geographic, 23 Mar. 2016
For Chernobyl birds, color is a curse [Los Angeles Times]
Determinants of interspecific variation in population declines of birds after exposure to radiation at Chernobyl [Journal of Applied Ecology]
—Brandon Keim, WIRED, 16 July 2007
Cite this Entry
“Interspecific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interspecific. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interspecific
adjective
in·ter·spe·cif·ic
ˌint-ər-spi-ˈsif-ik
variants
or interspecies
-ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz
-(ˌ)sēz
: existing or arising between species
an interspecific hybrid
Medical Definition
interspecific
adjective
in·ter·spe·cif·ic
ˌint-ər-spi-ˈsif-ik
variants
also interspecies
: existing or arising between species
an interspecific hybrid
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