plural species
1
biology
: a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus
There are approximately 8,000 species of ants.
All European domestic cattle belong to the same species.
laws that protect endangered/threatened species
2
: a particular group of things or people that belong together or have some shared quality
the different species [=kinds, types] of criminals
Cite this Entry
“Species.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/species. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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