specimen

American  

[spes-uh-muhn] / ˈspɛs ə mən /

noun

1. a part or an individual taken as exemplifying a whole mass or number; a typical animal, plant, mineral, part, etc.

   Synonyms:

   pattern, model, type

2. (in medicine, microbiology, etc.) a sample of a substance or material for examination or study.

   a urine specimen; a tissue specimen.

3. a particular or peculiar kind of person.

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specimen British  

/ ˈspɛsɪmɪn /

noun

1. 1. an individual, object, or part regarded as typical of the group or class to which it belongs

   2. ( as modifier )

      a specimen signature

      a specimen page

2. med a sample of tissue, blood, urine, etc, taken for diagnostic examination or evaluation

3. the whole or a part of an organism, plant, rock, etc, collected and preserved as an example of its class, species, etc

4. informal a person

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Related Words

See example.

Etymology

Origin of specimen

1600–10; < Latin: mark, example, indication, sign, equivalent to speci-, stem of specere to look, regard + -men noun suffix denoting result or means

Explanation

A specimen is a sample of something, like a specimen of blood or body tissue that is taken for medical testing. The noun specimen comes from the Latin word specere, meaning “to look.” Biologists collect specimens so they can get a better look at something to study it. The idea is that, with a good specimen, you can learn about an entire group: it's a good representation. That meaning is echoed in the slang use of specimen, a strong, healthy and attractive person.

Example Sentences

The specimen was carefully preserved in alcohol and formalin before being shipped from the Galápagos to Chicago, where Voight examined it at the Field Museum.

From Science Daily • May 25, 2026

"We only had the one specimen, so I didn't want to take it apart," Voight said.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

“A newer classic old Hollywood style pool with arched fountains, surrounded by rolling lawns, specimen trees, rose gardens and dramatic views from the Observatory to Ocean sunsets,” the original listing description said.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

That patient's specimen was taken on the ship, not in the US, Jackson said noting that there were two specimens collected from that patient, one of which was positive and the other negative.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Saget looked at Langan oddly, as if he were some kind of laboratory specimen.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

• copy
• exhibit
• variety