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

The lake, which provides vital habitat for migrating birds, “is in trouble and urgently needs our help,” said Martha Davis, a leader of the nonprofit Mono Lake Committee.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Not just for the beautiful colours but for the vibrancy of the bees, butterflies and moths flying around, which need that habitat.

Read more on BBC

Members of this genus are found throughout East Asia and the northern Indochinese Peninsula, where they occupy a wide variety of mountain habitats.

Read more on Science Daily

Entomologist Mark Teller said: "To find a species thought lost for 40 years is thrilling - and testament to how the right habitat management, combined with curiosity and collaboration, can deliver remarkable results."

Read more on BBC

The "diving center" would connect to the underwater base, which would be anchored to the seabed to protect the overall habitat from waves and storms.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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