organism
noun
or·gan·ism
| \ ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm
\
\
Definition of organism
1
: a complex structure of interdependent and subordinate elements whose relations and properties are largely determined by their function in the whole
the nation is not merely the sum of individual citizens at any given time, but it is a living organism, a mystical body … of which the individual is an ephemeral part— Joseph Rossi
2
: an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of parts or organs more or less separate in function but mutually dependent : a living being
a multicellular organism
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Other Words from organism
organismic
\ ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-mik
\
or less commonly organismal \ ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-məl
\
adjective
\
or less commonly organismal \ ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-məl
\
adjective
organismically
\ ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-mi-k(ə-)lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Examples of organism in a Sentence
A human being is a complex organism.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the Gaia view, our planet behaves as a single, self-regulating organism. — NBC News, "Cyborgs will replace humans and remake the world, James Lovelock says," 25 Aug. 2019 These are not even desperate blind flings from the realization of the hopeless situation in our society; these are just senseless inertial impulses of a decrepit organism that has lost its bearing. — Anatoly Chernyaev, Harper's magazine, "Cogs of War," 19 Aug. 2019 In fact, rafting may have been one way islands like New Zealand were initially colonized by some organisms. — Raleigh Mcelvery, Smithsonian, "Ancient Sea Life May Have Hitched Across Oceans on Giant Living Rafts," 12 Aug. 2019 Many of these pollutants sink to the ocean's depths or float far distances from their original source, where they are consumed by small marine organisms and introduced into the global food chain. — Jenny Howard, National Geographic, "Marine pollution, explained," 2 Aug. 2019 In the United States, public health officials say the fungus is an example of a resistant organism being imported into the country inadvertently by a sick person and spreading. — Lena H. Sun, The Denver Post, "Deadly fungal disease may be linked to climate change, study suggests," 23 July 2019 But near the thawing poles, a hardy few organisms are revealing incredible stamina. — Daniel Ackerman, Anchorage Daily News, "Ancient life awakens amid thawing ice caps and permafrost," 8 July 2019 The molecular biologist, a postdoctoral researcher in Texas in the year 2000, was breeding botany’s leading model organism, Arabidopsis, an unremarkable weed in the mustard family. — Quanta Magazine, "Unexpected ‘Germline’ Plant Cells May Shield New Generations," 5 Aug. 2019 The shapes suggest people or at least organisms, and her ability to infuse such a cold material with life is an achievement. — Darryl Ratcliff, Dallas News, "Latina artists in Dallas showcase 'were told ‘no,’ and they triumphed anyway’," 25 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'organism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for organism
organism
noun
English Language Learners Definition of organism
: an individual living thing
: a system with many parts that depend on each other and work together
See the full definition for organism in the English Language Learners Dictionary
organism
noun
or·gan·ism
| \ ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm
\
\
Kids Definition of organism
: a living thing made up of one or more cells and able to carry on the activities of life (as using energy, growing, or reproducing)
organism
noun
or·gan·ism
| \ ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm
\
\
Medical Definition of organism
: an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of organs separate in function but mutually dependent : a living being
Other Words from organism
organismic
\ ˌȯr-gə-ˈniz-mik
\
also organismal \ -məl
\
adjective
\
also organismal \ -məl
\
adjective
organismically
\ -mi-k(ə-)lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
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