endangered

American  

[en-deyn-jerd] / ɛnˈdeɪn dʒərd /

adjective

1. threatened with a danger.

   endangered lives of trapped coal miners.

2. Biology, Ecology. generally perceived as threatened with extinction.

   In 1967, the U.S. government declared the bald eagle endangered, but the national bird’s population recovery since then has been remarkable.

3. Biology, Ecology. (of a threatened plant or animal species) having a very high risk of extinction, second only to the status of critically endangered, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: EN

   There are more than 3,600 endangered plant species throughout the world.

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endangered British  

/ ɪnˈdeɪndʒəd /

adjective

1. in danger: used esp of animals in danger of extinction

   the giant panda is an endangered species

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Other Word Forms

• unendangered adjective

Etymology

Origin of endangered

First recorded in 1590–1600; endanger + -ed ²

Compare meaning

How does endangered compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• endangered vs. threatened species

Example Sentences

Mexicans have plenty of spiritual animalistic icons and regional exclusives that make sense, from the endangered axolotl salamander to Xoloitzcuintle, a hairless dog.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

The Sierra Nevada population is considered an endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

From Los Angeles Times

He also used symbols like the "pava", the traditional farmer's hat, and the endangered Puerto Rican crested toad.

From BBC

Related Words

• threatened