habitat

American  

[hab-i-tat] / ˈhæb ɪˌtæt /

noun

• habitats
  plural

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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Synonym Usage

See ecosystem ( def. ).

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• habitats
  plural

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”

Explanation

Your habitat is the environment you are accustomed to living in. Zoos usually try to mimic the habitats of the animals they keep, housing bats in a nocturnal house and monkeys in a cage with trees to climb and swing from. The origins of habitat aren't exactly what you would expect. The word goes back to the Latin habitare meaning "to live or dwell," which itself goes back to habere meaning "to have or own." It seems logical that if you own a place, it is your home. Habitat is usually used with animals and plants that live in and are adapted to a specific environment. In nature, orchids and banana plants live in a warm, humid habitat.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

habitat habitats

"Every species has different habitat requirements, has its own particular behavioral tendencies and faces unique threats. Effective conservation requires that we understand the particular challenges that each species faces."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 28, 2026

Soil supports the food we eat, stores water, carbon and nutrients, and provides habitat for an enormous share of life on Earth.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 28, 2026

A state housing law meant to fast-track development hit a roadblock as endangered mountain lion habitat rulings stalled plans for 400 homes at Woodland Hills Country Club.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

A warming climate is reducing their habitat and it is predicted they'll have to eventually move further north to maintain proximity to cold water.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

As one moves along a north-south axis, one traverses zones differing greatly in climate, habitat, rainfall, day length, and diseases of crops and livestock.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Mr. Wells and Mr. Wellington worried that this would make it far harder to get species protection, putting snakes and their habitats at risk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

Watson said stronger protection could bring benefits for both wildlife and people by helping to sustain fish stocks and preserve habitats that support marine biodiversity.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

Some of these organisms can escape from spacesuits and habitats into the surrounding environment.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026

The Ocean Conservation Namibia non-profit group said the project "threatens to turn Namibia's marine ecosystem into an untested experimental zone, putting our ocean habitats, water quality, and local fisheries at immediate risk."

From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026

Hawaii’s Big Island, though lying well within the Tropic of Cancer, has mountains high enough to support alpine habitats and receive occasional snowfalls.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

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