allopatric

[ al-uh-pa-trik ]

/ ˌæl əˈpæ trɪk /

Save This Word!

adjective Biology, Ecology.

originating in or occupying different geographical areas.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!

Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between "it’s" and "its" in this crafty quiz!

Question 1 of 8

On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.

it's

its

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of allopatric

1940–45; allo- + Greek patr(ía) fatherland (patḗr father + -ia noun suffix) + -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM allopatric

al·lo·pat·ri·cal·ly, adverbal·lop·a·try

[uh-lop-uh-tree], /əˈlɒp ə tri/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

British Dictionary definitions for allopatric

allopatric

/ (ˌæləˈpætrɪk) /

adjective

(of biological speciation or species) taking place or existing in areas that are geographically separated from one anotherCompare sympatric

Derived forms of allopatric

allopatrically, adverb

Word Origin for allopatric

C20: from allo- + -patric, from Greek patris native land

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for allopatric

allopatric

[ ăl′ə-păt′rĭk ]

Ecology

Occurring in separate, nonoverlapping geographic areas. Allopatric populations of related organisms are unable to interbreed because of geographic separation.♦ The development of new species as a result of the geographic separation of populations is called allopatric speciation. Compare sympatric.