subspecies

American  

[suhb-spee-sheez, suhb-spee-] / ˈsʌbˌspi ʃiz, sʌbˈspi- /

noun

• subspecies
  plural

1. a subdivision of a species, especially a geographical or ecological subdivision.

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subspecies British  

/ ˈsʌbˌspiːʃiːz /

noun

1. ssp. biology a taxonomic group that is a subdivision of a species: usually occurs because of isolation within a species

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subspecies Scientific  

/ sŭb′spē′shēz,-sēz /

1. A subdivision of a species of organisms, usually based on geographic distribution. The subspecies name is written in lowercase italics following the species name. For example, Gorilla gorilla gorilla is the western lowland gorilla, and Gorilla gorilla graueri is the eastern lowland gorilla.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subspecific
  adjective
• subspecifically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• subspecies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of subspecies

First recorded in 1690–1700; sub- + species

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

subspecies

The purpose-built two-acre reserve is home to Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with around 500 left in the wild.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

Dr. Martin said researchers had already recognized that the Drimolen population of P. robustus was distinctive enough to receive a separate subspecies designation, P. Robustus ukusa.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

The subspecies of Aedes aegypti now established across large swaths of the U.S. began its evolutionary journey in sub-Saharan Africa.

From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2026

Each of the Channel Islands has endemic species and subspecies, including island foxes, that are found nowhere else, said Phyllis Grifman, vice chair of the advisory council.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026

These meerkats were most definitely a subspecies that had specialized in a fascinating and sur­prising way.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel