habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈha-bə-ˌtat 

1

a

: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows

b

: the typical place of residence of a person or a group

the arctic habitat of the Inuit

c

: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live under surrounding inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)

2

: the place where something is commonly found

has its natural habitat in university, in government, or in industrial laboratories

—B. B. Watson

Synonyms

• home
• niche
• range
• territory

Examples of habitat in a Sentence

a forest in California is set aside to preserve the unique brushy, rugged habitat required by nesting California condors

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2020, Defenders of Wildlife, Desert Tortoise Council and Desert Tortoise Preserve petitioned to change the tortoise’s status to endangered, which would give it higher priority and funding for conservation measures such as habitat protection and recovery efforts. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024

Their dipping populations can be attributed to a variety of factors including habitat degradation, over-harvest, and the severing of ancient spawning routes by hydro-electric dams. —Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 18 Apr. 2024

As highways encroach ever further into animal habitats, drivers and wildlife are in greater danger than ever. —Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024

The Interior Department found that a road would disturb wildlife habitat, pollute spawning grounds for salmon and threaten the hunting and fishing traditions of more than 30 Alaska Native communities. —Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024

Instead of waiting for the herd to lose half its members to a bad winter or pneumonia outbreak, biologists proposed hunting ewes to keep the population around 400, better matching what the habitat could support. —Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 11 Apr. 2024

Bats are the major pollinators of over 500 different plant species, boosting both natural habitats and human agriculture. —Krista Stevens, Longreads, 11 Apr. 2024

Sasquatch Sunset captures a bigfoot quartet in their natural habitat, engaging in all sorts of signature Sasquatch-esque behavior. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024

Specializing in Scandi-chic interiors and hygge habitats, the hotel features wood paneling and flooring, leather furniture draped in fur, midcentury lighting, and a gas fireplace. —Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, it inhabits, from habitare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat 

: the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows

Medical Definition

habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat 

1

: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally occurs

the human pubic region is the natural habitat of the crab louse

2

: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live surrounded by inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)