Dictionary.com

speciesism

[ spee-shee-ziz-uhm, -see-ziz- ]
/ ˈspi ʃiˌzɪz əm, -siˌzɪz- /
Save This Word!

noun
discrimination in favor of one species, usually the human species, over another, especially in the exploitation or mistreatment of animals by humans.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Sometimes spe·cism [spee-siz-uhm] /ˈspi sɪz əm/ .

Origin of speciesism

First recorded in 1970–75; species + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM speciesism

spe·cies·ist, specist, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use speciesism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for speciesism

speciesism
/ (ˈspiːʃiːzˌɪzəm) /

noun
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 of speciesism

speciesist, adjective

Word Origin for speciesism

C20: from species + -ism
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK