speciesism

[ spee-shee-ziz-uhm, -see-ziz- ]

noun

1. discrimination in favor of one species, usually the human species, over another, especially in the exploitation or mistreatment of animals by humans.

speciesism

/ ˈspiːʃiːzˌɪzəm /

noun

1. a belief of humans that all other species of animals are inferior and may therefore be used for human benefit without regard to the suffering inflicted

Derived Forms

• ˈspeciesist, adjective

Other Words From

• species·ist specist adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of speciesism¹

First recorded in 1970–75; species + -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of speciesism¹

C20: from species + -ism