habitat

American  

[hab-i-tat] / ˈhæb ɪˌtæt /

noun

• habitats
  plural

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.

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habitat British  

/ 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

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habitat Scientific  

/ hăb′ĭ-tăt′ /

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.

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habitat Cultural  

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

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Synonym Usage

See ecosystem ( def. ).

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• habitats
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of habitat

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”

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Explanation

Your habitat is the environment you are accustomed to living in. Zoos usually try to mimic the habitats of the animals they keep, housing bats in a nocturnal house and monkeys in a cage with trees to climb and swing from. The origins of habitat aren't exactly what you would expect. The word goes back to the Latin habitare meaning "to live or dwell," which itself goes back to habere meaning "to have or own." It seems logical that if you own a place, it is your home. Habitat is usually used with animals and plants that live in and are adapted to a specific environment. In nature, orchids and banana plants live in a warm, humid habitat.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

habitat habitats

Duwai's vision for a plentiful marine habitat that would sustain his village of 147 people has now received global praise, with academics and charities seeking his insights.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

But for now, the ban won't mean the end of captivity for the Marineland whales, only a change of habitat.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

It says a large portion of the ape's habitat will become inhospitable to them if climate change continues at its current pace.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

"She had to leave her habitat, and we had to rescue her, primarily because of the flames," he added.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

With the cutting and burning of the forests for farming, its habitat was elimi-nated.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

This diversity is driven by diverse habitats: harsh deserts, vast grasslands, dense forests, towering mountains, lush coastlines and teeming seas.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

Yiari CEO Karmele Llano Sanchez said relocating the eight orangutans to the reserve was a "necessary step" when their habitats became unsafe.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

Last month, the International Union for Conservation of Nature warned that wildfires were burning in habitats containing 52% of Borneo's orangutan population.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

Last month, the International Union for Conservation of Nature warned fires were burning in habitats containing 52 percent of Borneo's orangutan population.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

Once the colonists had reached the shores of Greater Australia, they spread quickly over the whole continent to occupy even its farthest reaches and most inhospitable habitats.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

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Related Words

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

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