organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm 
1
: a complex structure of interdependent and subordinate elements whose relations and properties are largely determined by their function in the whole
The nation is not merely the sum of individual citizens at any given time, but it is a living organism, a mystical body … of which the individual is an ephemeral part …—
Joseph Rossi
Joseph Rossi2
: an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of parts or organs more or less separate in function but mutually dependent : a living being
a multicellular organism
Examples of organism in a Sentence
A human being is a complex organism.
Recent Examples on the Web
These in turn lead to dead zones in waterways where oxygen levels drop, killing aquatic organisms like fish.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Plants are also resistant pythium species, disease organisms that cause root rots often plaguing lavenders.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
In the wild, marine sponges are delicate, simple living organisms, lacking brains, organs, and nervous systems, despite having risen in pop culture via a certain cartoon character with square pants.
—Erik Trinidad, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026
All organisms, living or extinct, are given a name by biologists to make identification easier across different languages and regions.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for organism
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Plants are also resistant pythium species, disease organisms that cause root rots often plaguing lavenders.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
In the wild, marine sponges are delicate, simple living organisms, lacking brains, organs, and nervous systems, despite having risen in pop culture via a certain cartoon character with square pants.
—Erik Trinidad, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026
All organisms, living or extinct, are given a name by biologists to make identification easier across different languages and regions.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for organism
Cite this Entry
“Organism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organism. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm
1
: something having many related parts that function together as a whole
2
: an individual living thing that carries on the activities of life by means of organs which have separate functions but are dependent on each other : a living person, plant, or animal
Medical Definition
organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm
: an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of organs separate in function but mutually dependent : a living being
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
