endangered
Americanadjective
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threatened with a danger.
endangered lives of trapped coal miners.
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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.
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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.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of endangered
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Explanation
An animal that is endangered is close to extinction — meaning there aren't very many of that type of animal left in the world. This word is used mostly to describe animal species that are not doing very well: animals usually become endangered because of over hunting or the destruction of their habitat. Environmental groups and animal-lovers try to help endangered species survive. Outside of the animal kingdom, you can say anything that seems to be dying out is endangered, like good manners, phone booths, or the art of letter writing.
Vocabulary lists containing endangered
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chinese authorities alleged he had endangered the country’s national security.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
The Tapanuli orangutan, another species native to Sumatra, is also classified as critically endangered, with fewer than 800 believed left in the wild.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
Some of Wales' most endangered species are "at risk of vanishing" from an area of the country's largest national park, experts have warned.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
As for the deer carcasses, some of the meat will feed endangered California condors, bald eagles and foxes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026
A. californica is sufficiently rare that it has been classified as an endangered species.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
