species

[spee-sheez, -seez]

noun

plural

species 

1. a class of individuals having some common characteristics or qualities; distinct sort or kind.

2. Biology.,  the major subdivision of a genus or subgenus, regarded as the basic category of biological classification, composed of related individuals that resemble one another, are able to breed among themselves, but are not able to breed with members of another species.

3. Logic.

   1. one of the classes of things included with other classes in a genus.

   2. the set of things within one of these classes.

4. Ecclesiastical.

   1. the external form or appearance of the bread or the wine in the Eucharist.

   2. either of the Eucharistic elements.

5. Obsolete.,  specie; coin.

6. the species, the human race; humankind.

   a study of the species.

adjective

1. Horticulture.,  pertaining to a plant that is a representative member of a species, one that is not a hybrid or variety.

   a species rose;

   a species gladiolus.

species

/ ˈspiːʃiːz, ˈspiːʃɪˌiːz /

noun

1. biology

   1. sp. any of the taxonomic groups into which a genus is divided, the members of which are capable of interbreeding: often containing subspecies, varieties, or races. A species is designated in italics by the genus name followed by the specific name, for example Felis domesticus (the domestic cat)

   2. the animals of such a group

   3. any group of related animals or plants not necessarily of this taxonomic rank

2. (modifier) denoting a plant that is a natural member of a species rather than a hybrid or cultivar

   a species clematis

3. logic a group of objects or individuals, all sharing at least one common attribute, that forms a subdivision of a genus

4. a kind, sort, or variety

   a species of treachery

5. RC Church the outward form of the bread and wine in the Eucharist

6. obsolete,  an outward appearance or form

7. obsolete,  specie

species

1. A group of organisms having many characteristics in common and ranking below a genus. Organisms that reproduce sexually and belong to the same species interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Species names are usually written lower case and in italics, as rex in Tyrannosaurus rex.

2. See Table at taxonomy

species

1. A group of closely related and interbreeding living things; the smallest standard unit of biological classification. Species can be divided into varieties, races, breeds, or subspecies. Red pines, sugar maples, cats, dogs, chimpanzees, and people are species; Siamese cats and beagles are varieties, not species. (See Linnean classification.)

The term can be used to refer to any group of related things: “This species of novel has become quite popular in recent years.”

Other Word Forms

• superspecies noun superspecies
• underspecies noun underspecies

Word History and Origins

Origin of species¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin speciēs “appearance, form, sort, kind,” equivalent to spec(ere) “to look, regard” + -iēs abstract noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of species¹

C16: from Latin: appearance, from specere to look

Idioms and Phrases

see endangered species.

Example Sentences

Never mind that we’re not supposed to do this anymore—remember, we’ve evolved as a species, stopped the toxic body shaming and now accept everyone for who they are.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“The Orchid Thief” took on a typically left-field Orlean subject: the trial of a Florida horticulturalist accused of stealing endangered species from a swamp in the Seminole Indian reserve.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Arctic seals and birds are coming under increasing threat, mainly due to climate change and human activity, according to an updated list of endangered species released Friday by the world's top conservation body.

Read more on Barron's

Green turtles are one of the largest species of sea turtles, named for the greenish colour of their body fat, which comes from their plant-based diet.

Read more on BBC

A near-complete skeleton found on Dorset's Jurassic coast has been identified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a type of prehistoric marine reptile that once ruled the oceans.

Read more on BBC