species
a class of individuals having some common characteristics or qualities; distinct sort or kind.
Biology. the major subdivision of a genus or subgenus, regarded as the basic category of biological classification, composed of related individuals that resemble one another, are able to breed among themselves, but are not able to breed with members of another species.
Logic.
one of the classes of things included with other classes in a genus.
the set of things within one of these classes.
Ecclesiastical.
the external form or appearance of the bread or the wine in the Eucharist.
either of the Eucharistic elements.
Obsolete. specie; coin.
the species, the human race; humankind: a study of the species.
Horticulture. pertaining to a plant that is a representative member of a species, one that is not a hybrid or variety: a species rose; a species gladiolus.
Origin of species
1Other words from species
- su·per·spe·cies, noun, plural su·per·spe·cies.
- un·der·spe·cies, noun, plural un·der·spe·cies.
Words that may be confused with species
Words Nearby species
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use species in a sentence
So, why would a species like the banded mongoose favor breeding between relatives?
Mongooses, Meerkats, and Ants, Oh My! Why Some Animals Keep Mating All in the Family | Helen Thompson | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn Greek mythology, the species became associated with numerous gods.
The History of the Chicken: How This Humble Bird Saved Humanity | William O’Connor | December 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMistletoes infections can kill individual trees and stands of trees, and most mistletoe species attack specific tree species.
Instead, most of the suffering species ate insects on the forest floor.
Mistletoes on mesquite trees in central Mexico have been linked to a greater abundance of tropical bird species.
Fourteen genera, representing about 19 species, of Mallophaga are reported for 20 different species of bird hosts.
Summer Birds From the Yucatan Peninsula | Erwin E. KlaasThis is a feature by means of which it is always possible to distinguish the Great Horsetail from any other species.
How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard BastinMost of my observations are in keeping with Skutch's detailed report of the species in Central America.
Summer Birds From the Yucatan Peninsula | Erwin E. KlaasWhere the outside conditions are not very favourable, practically all the British species may be grown with ease under glass.
How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard BastinWhatever the species, it is well to imitate the natural conditions as much as possible in the way of soil.
How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard Bastin
British Dictionary definitions for species
/ (ˈspiːʃiːz, Latin ˈspiːʃɪˌiːz) /
biology
any of the taxonomic groups into which a genus is divided, the members of which are capable of interbreeding: often containing subspecies, varieties, or races. A species is designated in italics by the genus name followed by the specific name, for example Felis domesticus (the domestic cat): Abbreviation: sp
the animals of such a group
any group of related animals or plants not necessarily of this taxonomic rank
(modifier) denoting a plant that is a natural member of a species rather than a hybrid or cultivar: a species clematis
logic a group of objects or individuals, all sharing at least one common attribute, that forms a subdivision of a genus
a kind, sort, or variety: a species of treachery
mainly RC Church the outward form of the bread and wine in the Eucharist
obsolete an outward appearance or form
obsolete specie
Origin of species
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for species
[ spē′shēz, spē′sēz ]
A group of organisms having many characteristics in common and ranking below a genus. Organisms that reproduce sexually and belong to the same species interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Species names are usually written lower case and in italics, as rex in Tyrannosaurus rex. See Table at taxonomy.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for species
[ (spee-sheez, spee-seez) ]
A group of closely related and interbreeding living things; the smallest standard unit of biological classification. Species can be divided into varieties, races, breeds, or subspecies. Red pines, sugar maples, cats, dogs, chimpanzees, and people are species; Siamese cats and beagles are varieties, not species. (See Linnean classification.)
Notes for species
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with species
see endangered species.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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