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

See Examples For:

life form

Although no extraterrestrial life has ever been confirmed, the researchers argue that introducing a completely unfamiliar life form into Earth's environment could have unpredictable consequences.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 6, 2026

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

Keeping in mind the arc of the narrative, Saxon realized the imagined life form needed to fit in a backpack to travel with Yuri wherever she goes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2025

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

Both species, the human and the monkey, were in the presence of another life form, which was older and more powerful than either of them, and was a dweller in blood.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston