species

American  

[spee-sheez, -seez] / ˈspi ʃiz, -siz /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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species Scientific  

/ spē′shēz,spē′sēz /

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

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species Cultural  

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.)

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species Idioms  

1. see endangered species.

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Discover More

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
• underspecies
  noun

Etymology

Origin of species

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

Explanation

A species is a distinct group of animals or plants that have common characteristics and can breed with each other. Your poodle and your bulldog are the same species, but your hamster and your goldfish are not. All members of the same species have similar genes and can interbreed and produce offspring. A subspecies is a division of a species, and a genus includes several different species. Biologists use these categories to classify organisms, usually with Latin names like Canis familiaris, or "domestic dog." In Middle English, species meant "a classification in logic," borrowed from the Latin word meaning "kind or appearance," from the root of specere, "to see."

Example Sentences

The governor’s office said the crossing will help preserve several species, including the threatened mountain lion population in Los Angeles County.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

The fossils also point to an Australopithecus species that has not been found anywhere else.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

The Andes species of hantavirus—responsible for the cruise-ship outbreak—is the only type that spreads between people.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

The species had previously existed as two separated populations in northern England and Kent, before declining to a handful of plants across three sites in Kent.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

“And if we can say, ‘Hey, this species would have been gone, but conservation action saved it,’ then this can compel the public to save many others,” explains Axel.

From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh