spe·cies
ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz 
-(ˌ)sēz
plural species
1
b
: a class of individuals having common attributes and designated by a common name
specifically
: a logical division of a genus or more comprehensive class
confessing sins in species and in number
c
: the human race : human beings
—often used with the
survival of the species in the nuclear age
d(1)
: a category of biological classification ranking immediately below the genus or subgenus, comprising related organisms or populations potentially capable of interbreeding, and being designated by a binomial that consists of the name of a genus followed by a Latin or latinized uncapitalized noun or adjective agreeing grammatically with the genus name
(2)
: an individual or kind belonging to a biological species
e
: a particular kind of atomic nucleus, atom, molecule, or ion
2
: the consecrated eucharistic elements of the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Eucharist
3
a
: a mental image
also
: a sensible object
b
: an object of thought correlative with a natural object
: belonging to a biological species as distinguished from a horticultural variety
a species rose
Synonyms
Examples of species in a Sentence
Noun
There are approximately 8,000 species of ants.
All European domestic cattle belong to the same species.
laws that protect endangered species
Recent Examples on the Web
April Ehrlich, ProPublica, 12 Nov. 2024
The gene tree and the species tree are not the same thing.
—Janna Levin, Quanta Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
Rebecca Heisman, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
To come up with their estimates, the researchers linked their findings about newly suitable habitats for different species with biological patterns of cross-species transmission.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 29 Apr. 2022
See all Example Sentences for species 
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Noun
These plans outline how a forest will be managed — like logging parameters, species protections, restoration projects and road maintenance.
—April Ehrlich, ProPublica, 12 Nov. 2024
The gene tree and the species tree are not the same thing.
—Janna Levin, Quanta Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Hybrid speciation, in which a new species originates from a cross-species pairing, has been documented in butterflies, fish, toads and dolphins.
—Rebecca Heisman, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
To come up with their estimates, the researchers linked their findings about newly suitable habitats for different species with biological patterns of cross-species transmission.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 29 Apr. 2022
See all Example Sentences for species
Articles Related to species
Dictionary Entries Near species
Cite this Entry
“Species.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/species. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
species
noun
spe·cies
ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz
-(ˌ)sēz
-(ˌ)sēz
plural species
1
a
: a category of biological classification ranking immediately below the genus or subgenus, comprising related organisms or populations potentially capable of interbreeding, and being designated by a binomial that consists of the name of the genus followed by a Latin or latinized uncapitalized noun or adjective agreeing grammatically with the genus name
b
: an individual or kind belonging to a biological species
2
: a particular kind of atomic nucleus, atom, molecule, or ion
production of DNA damage by active oxygen species
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