endangered species

Scientific  

/ ĕn-dān′jərd /

1. A plant or animal species existing in such small numbers that it is in danger of becoming extinct, especially such a species placed in jeopardy as a result of human activity. One of the principal factors in the endangerment or extinction of a species is the destruction or pollution of its native habitat. Other factors include overhunting, intentional extermination, and the accidental or intentional introduction of alien species that outcompete the native species for environmental resources.

---

endangered species Idioms  

1. A group threatened with extinction or destruction. For example, Workers willing to put in overtime without extra pay are an endangered species, or With the new budget cuts, public television has become an endangered species. This expression, originally referring to species of plants or animals in danger of dying out, began in the 1980s to be extended to anything or anyone becoming rare.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

endangered species

The births follow the zoo's success last November in breeding the Atewa slippery frog, another critically endangered species from the same forest, which had also never been bred in captivity before.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

Wildlife traffickers can face up to 10 years in prison for crimes involving protected species, or 15 years for endangered species.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

"Just as we can predict population growth or endangered species, we can model the evolution of feelings within a couple," explains Pujo-Menjouet.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026

In 2022, following a court order, the gray wolf received endangered species protections in 48 states and Mexico but not in the Northern Rocky Mountains, according to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

A newly composed classical opera in the late-twentieth century was like Beluga caviar: a shockingly expensive commodity from an endangered species, accessible to a very privileged few but an inconceivable luxury to the rest.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---