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

It is now home to more than 120 species, many of them endangered.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Federal scientists call the Sacramento River’s winter-run Chinook salmon “one of the most at-risk endangered species.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

You’ll find everything from red pandas to critically endangered black-and-white ruffed lemurs.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

I shouldn’t have endangered Arthur just because I wanted to speak up for us and everyone like us.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Related Words

• threatened