Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for endangered species. Search instead for alien; naturalized species.

endangered species

Scientific  
/ ĕn-dānjərd /
  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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Gulf of Mexico is home to at least 19 other threatened and endangered species including various types of turtles, the giant manta ray and mountainous star coral.

From BBC

And if doubles are an endangered species, triples are practically extinct.

From The Wall Street Journal

Poaching is still a challenge in Uganda, where authorities have arrested and prosecuted individuals found with ivory, pangolins and other endangered species, conservationists report.

From BBC

And certainly not as a giant marina, which would have destroyed a habitat that was home to several endangered species.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2020, the commission gave the lions temporary endangered species protections as “candidates” for listing.

From Los Angeles Times