habitat

American  

[hab-i-tat] / ˈhæb ɪˌtæt /

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.

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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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Related Words

See ecosystem ( def. ).

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”

Example Sentences

"Our analysis shows that these animals originated in the deep ocean, a habitat which still harbors species like the ram's horn squid," says Sanchez.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

He began by visiting the Theodore Payne Foundation’s demonstration garden in Sun Valley, where people can see native plants growing in their natural habitat.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Species around the world are vanishing at an accelerating pace, driven by climate change, habitat destruction, and invasive species.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

A flotilla of vessels were following the weakened animal at a distance, hoping to help guide it into the North Sea and toward the Atlantic Ocean, its natural habitat.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

He scanned through ten volumes of Foxfire books for information about the habits and habitat of the feral hog.

From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green

Related Words

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