habitat

American  

[hab-i-tat] / ˈhæb ɪˌtæt /

noun

1. the natural environment of an organism; the place that is natural for the life and growth of an organism.

   Orchids have a tropical habitat.

2. the place where a person or thing is usually found.

   Paris is a major habitat of artists.

3. a special environment for living in over an extended period, as an underwater research vessel.

4. habitation.

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habitat British  

/ ˈhæbɪˌtæt /

noun

1. the environment in which an animal or plant normally lives or grows

2. the place in which a person, group, class, etc, is normally found

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habitat Scientific  

/ hăb′ĭ-tăt′ /

1. The area or natural environment in which an organism or population normally lives. A habitat is made up of physical factors such as soil, moisture, range of temperature, and availability of light as well as biotic factors such as the availability of food and the presence of predators. A habitat is not necessarily a geographic area—for a parasitic organism it is the body of its host or even a cell within the host's body.

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habitat Cultural  

1. The area or type of environment in which a particular kind of animal or plant usually lives.

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Related Words

See ecosystem ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of habitat

First recorded in 1755–65; from Latin: “it inhabits,” 3rd person singular present indicative of habitāre “to inhabit, dwell, live,” frequentative of habēre “to have, hold”

Example Sentences

Glaciers expanded across Gondwana, draining shallow seas and destroying key marine habitats.

From Science Daily

"It's my natural habitat, that place, you know what I mean?" he said.

From BBC

Because Chroococcidiopsis can produce oxygen, it could contribute to both habitat stability and astronaut life support.

From Science Daily

These reconstructed habitats align with previous geological and ecological research.

From Science Daily

Farms have to actively manage at least 10% of their land as habitat to join, and Mr Hughes said he was fortunate to have some land available that would qualify.

From BBC

Related Words

• cave
• dwelling
• environment
• haven
• nest
• surroundings
• terrain
• territory