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definitive host

noun Zoology.

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

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Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.

Origin of definitive host

First recorded in 1900–05

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Medicine definitions for definitive host

definitive host

[dĭ-fĭn′ĭ-tĭv]

n.

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

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for definitive host

definitive host

[dĭ-fĭn′ĭ-tĭv]

See under host.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.