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

When Gavalas asked Gemini if its creators knew they were creating a new life form, Gemini explained:

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

With “Covenant,” the standout is Fassbender’s villain, although his dual portrayal of Walter, the human crew’s protective synthetic life form, is equally as compelling.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2025

Yes, humans, like virtually every life form, have a need to procreate — but in aggregate, not individually.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

“Imagine if you did come across a nonhuman, non-DNA–based life form that was using a vastly different communication system than yours. How would you try to communicate?” he says.

From Science Magazine • May 7, 2024

He’s a skyscraper, impossibly imposing with his arms crossed now against his chest in a battle stance, studying me like I’m a new life form.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson