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
Todd Braje, The Conversation, 16 May 2024
After about 80 million years or so, a species of dinosaur that once roamed parts of North Carolina will be returning to its old stomping grounds in Gastonia.
—Amy Carleton, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for species 
Noun
Today, European nations are working to restore forests across the continent in order to slow climate change and species loss.
—Todd Braje, The Conversation, 16 May 2024
After about 80 million years or so, a species of dinosaur that once roamed parts of North Carolina will be returning to its old stomping grounds in Gastonia.
—Amy Carleton, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for species
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'species.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Species.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/species. Accessed 20 May. 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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