endangered

American  

[en-deyn-jerd] / ɛnˈdeɪn dʒərd /

adjective

1. threatened with a danger.

   endangered lives of trapped coal miners.

2. Biology, Ecology. generally perceived as threatened with extinction.

   In 1967, the U.S. government declared the bald eagle endangered, but the national bird’s population recovery since then has been remarkable.

3. Biology, Ecology. (of a threatened plant or animal species) having a very high risk of extinction, second only to the status of critically endangered, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: EN

   There are more than 3,600 endangered plant species throughout the world.

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endangered British  

/ ɪnˈdeɪndʒəd /

adjective

1. in danger: used esp of animals in danger of extinction

   the giant panda is an endangered species

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Other Word Forms

• unendangered adjective

Etymology

Origin of endangered

First recorded in 1590–1600; endanger + -ed ²

Compare meaning

How does endangered compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• endangered vs. threatened species

Example Sentences

Members of Congress and others called for him to be fired, saying he had endangered US military members and flouted protocols.

From BBC

In March 2025, the Heritage Crafts Association added organ building and maintenance to its list of endangered crafts.

From BBC

A 2023 analysis of roughly 8,000 amphibian species found that two out of five are threatened with extinction, making amphibians the most endangered group of vertebrates.

From Science Daily

Unlike timber wolves, brush wolves are not endangered, not protected, and are trapped heavily.

From Literature

Danny Chambers, who represents Winchester, said sewage had been "pouring" into the River Itchen, potentially affecting the endangered fish currently laying eggs in the chalk stream.

From BBC

Related Words

• threatened