life form

American  

Or life-form

noun

1. the form that is characteristic of a particular organism at maturity.

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life form British  

noun

1. biology the characteristic overall form and structure of a mature organism on the basis of which it can be classified

2. any living creature

3. (in science fiction) an alien

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Etymology

Origin of life form

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The new evidence suggests that fungi had already been active for hundreds of millions of years, interacting with early life forms and transforming the landscape.

From Science Daily

These ancient resins sometimes contain "bio-inclusions" -- trapped remains of plants or animals -- that offer rare, detailed glimpses of life forms such as insects and flowers that are not usually preserved as fossils.

From Science Daily

But he made the mistake of valuing her mechanics more than her consciousness and sharp logic, treating her like another piece of property, slightly above a lower life form.

From Salon

Rivers do not resemble life forms as we’re used to them, though the language of rivers suggests they could.

From Los Angeles Times

If simple life forms are found to exist that is no guarantee that more complex life forms are out there.

From BBC