habitat

[hab-i-tat]

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.

habitat

/ 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

habitat

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.

habitat

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of habitat¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of habitat¹

C18: from Latin: it inhabits, from habitāre to dwell, from habēre to have

Synonym Study

See ecosystem ( def. ).

Example Sentences

“To restore the natural fire frequency and chaparral habitats,” it states, “Topanga State Park should be left to burn within reasonable public safety limits and outside of fire exclusion zones.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"We are confident that some of the species there have not yet been described. However, a dedicated expedition would be needed to fully study this unique habitat."

Read more on Science Daily

"Because the new species was found in the same small area as the endangered wildflower, both could be at risk from habitat disturbance and other threatening processes like climate change," Dr. Prendergast said.

Read more on Science Daily

If earthquakes or similar geological motions can refresh chemical resources below the surface, this could expand the possible habitats for microbes on worlds such as Mars.

Read more on Science Daily

Three thousand species were found to now exist in five places or fewer, making them highly vulnerable to habitat loss, climate change and sudden catastrophic incidents like storms or wildfires, it said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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