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

Space colonisers come face-to-face with a terrifying life form while scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2024

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

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

Even though the study demonstrated organic compounds could form amino acids on Enceladus, there are many other hurdles any potential life form would have to overcome to actually develop in that alien environment.

From Salon • May 29, 2024

He could not stand the idea that his wife, the woman he loved, the mother of their children, would hold in her hands a monstrous life form that is lethal and incurable.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston