endangered

[en-deyn-jerd]

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.

endangered

/ ɪnˈdeɪndʒəd /

adjective

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

   the giant panda is an endangered species

Other Word Forms

• unendangered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of endangered¹

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

Example Sentences

Named the German hairy snail because of tiny hairs that cover its shell and because it is believed to originally come from the continent, the rare species is one of the UK's most endangered molluscs.

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The 50-year-old agreement is considered a key framework for protecting the world's most endangered animals and plants, and regulates trade in some 36,000 species.

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The pitch had made batters an endangered species.

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Making the rounds of TV talk shows, she jovially defended her old-fashioned lifestyle and dubbed herself an endangered species.

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Though another pack was recently euthanized, state wildlife officials say the population of the endangered predators is growing.

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Related Words

• threatened www.thesaurus.com