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
• territory
• range

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

Siargao and Davao, both on the southern Mindanao Island, are respectively popular destinations for surfing and Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak and habitat to the endangered Philippine Eagle, the world’s biggest eagle by length and wing surface area. —Ian Sayson, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

These kelp forests help provide food and habitats for a wide variety of marine life, including fish, sea otters and seals, per the AP. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

These kelp forests provide food and habitat for a wide variety of animals including fish, sea otters and seals. —Christina Larson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

The two male cubs, after some work by the wildlife organization’s staff, were deemed healthy enough to be put out in an outdoor enclosure to mimic their natural habitat. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, it inhabits, from habitare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for habitat

• acrobat
• autocrat
• automat
• bundesrat
• bureaucrat
• butterfat
• caveat
• chemostat
• copycat
• cryostat
• democrat
• diplomat

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)