habitat

[hab-i-tat]

noun

1. the natural environment of an organism; the place that is natural for the life and growth of an organism.

   Orchids have a tropical habitat.

2. the place where a person or thing is usually found.

   Paris is a major habitat of artists.

3. a special environment for living in over an extended period, as an underwater research vessel.

4. habitation.

habitat

/ ˈhæbɪˌtæt /

noun

1. the environment in which an animal or plant normally lives or grows

2. the place in which a person, group, class, etc, is normally found

habitat

1. The area or natural environment in which an organism or population normally lives. A habitat is made up of physical factors such as soil, moisture, range of temperature, and availability of light as well as biotic factors such as the availability of food and the presence of predators. A habitat is not necessarily a geographic area—for a parasitic organism it is the body of its host or even a cell within the host's body.

habitat

1. The area or type of environment in which a particular kind of animal or plant usually lives.

Word History and Origins

Origin of habitat¹

First recorded in 1755–65; from Latin: “it inhabits,” 3rd person singular present indicative of habitāre “to inhabit, dwell, live,” frequentative of habēre “to have, hold”

Word History and Origins

Origin of habitat¹

C18: from Latin: it inhabits, from habitāre to dwell, from habēre to have

Synonym Study

See ecosystem ( def. ).

Example Sentences

The habitats where they are found are some of the most diverse in Britain but are at risk from drying out and the impacts of "agricultural intensification", according to Natural Resources Wales.

From BBC

The New Forest is home to ancient woodland, fens, heaths and bogs, making it a diverse habitat.

From BBC

Ever since, the octopus has been cared for with hand-prepared restaurant-quality seafood, curated activities and habitats, and state-of-the-art veterinary care, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

“With all that noise and all those people down there, right on the lake, the eagles aren’t going to use that for foraging habitat,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

It is estimated it will protect more than 12,000 koalas as well as provide a habitat for more than 100 other threatened species.

From BBC

Related Words

• cave 
• dwelling 
• environment 
• haven 
• nest 
• surroundings 
• terrain 
• territory