subspecies

[ suhb-spee-sheez, suhb-spee- ]

/ ˈsʌbˌspi ʃiz, sʌbˈspi- /

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noun, plural sub·spe·cies.

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

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Origin of subspecies

First recorded in 1690–1700; sub- + species

Words nearby subspecies

subsolar, subsong, subsonic, subspace, subspecialty, subspecies, subspecific, subspontaneous, subst., substage, substance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use subspecies in a sentence

High office for a Hollywood (or some subspecies of) celebrity is not as outlandish as it once was—say, five or 10 minutes ago.
Val Kilmer for Governor?|Lloyd Grove|May 11, 2009|DAILY BEAST
This is inconsistent with the ordinarily accepted concept of subspecies.
A Synopsis of the American Bats of the Genus Pipistrellus|Walter W. Dalquest
Also, on the basis of this same index, some subspecies of D. ordii are more generalized than is any other species in the genus.
Speciation in the Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys ordii|Henry W. Setzer
Intergradation occurs with the latter subspecies at Vernal, Uintah County, in cranial measurements and in color.
Speciation in the Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys ordii|Henry W. Setzer

Six different complexes (groups) of subspecies of D. ordii have probably arisen as a result of geographical separation.
Speciation in the Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys ordii|Henry W. Setzer
Intergrades with Dipodomys ordii utahensis are discussed under the account of that subspecies.
Speciation in the Kangaroo Rat, Dipodomys ordii|Henry W. Setzer

British Dictionary definitions for subspecies

subspecies

/ (ˈsʌbˌspiːʃiːz) /

noun plural -cies

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

Derived forms of subspecies

subspecific (ˌsʌbspɪˈsɪfɪk), adjectivesubspecifically, adverb

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

Scientific definitions for subspecies

subspecies

[ sŭb′spē′shēz, -sēz ]

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.