definitive host

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noun Zoology.

the host in or on which a parasite spends the sexual stage of its life cycle.

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Origin of definitive host

First recorded in 1900–05

Words nearby definitive host

definite relative clause, definite relative pronoun, definition, definitions, definitive, definitive host, definitively, definitive plumage, definitize, definitude, deflagrate

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

How to use definitive host in a sentence

When we had that meeting in the Caribbean, Jeffrey was holding his own and not only was he a pleasant host, he was pleasant guy.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Kyle Dietrich, 36, is a host of one of the DC Dinner Parties.
Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone|Samantha Levine|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
At his Tucson hacienda he is a gracious host and a good neighbor.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Earlier in the segment, host Chuck Todd had asked him if he understood and acknowledged that black people have a fear of police.
Memo to Cops: Criticisms Aren’t Attacks|Michael Tomasky|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

NBC News boss Deborah Turness abruptly ousted the ‘Meet the Press’ host four months ago.
David Gregory's 'Meet the Press' Eviction Exposed in Washingtonian Takedown|Lloyd Grove|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And with that the host gave him such a kick as sent him howling into the street, amidst the roars of the company.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
My self-appointed host, whose name was Goodell, waved me to a chair, and took one opposite.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Everybody was sorry to go when they left, and their host regretted the departure of his visitors.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
There was a host of friends and acquaintances around the little home, making merry and admiring the baby.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
Elmer Spiker, mine host of the inn, was huddled close to the stove, and was reading by the light of a lamp.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd

Medical definitions for definitive host

definitive host

[ dĭ-fĭn′ĭ-tĭv ]

A host in which a parasite develops to an adult or sexually mature stage.final host

Scientific definitions for definitive host

definitive host

[ dĭ-fĭn′ĭ-tĭv ]

See under host.