subspecies
noun
sub·spe·cies
| \ ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz
, -sēz\
, -sēz\
Definition of subspecies
: a subdivision of a species: such as
a
: a category in biological classification that ranks immediately below a species and designates a population of a particular geographic region genetically distinguishable from other such populations of the same species and capable of interbreeding successfully with them where its range overlaps theirs
b
: a named subdivision (such as a race or variety) of a taxonomic species
c
: subgroup sense 1
a political subspecies
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Other Words from subspecies
subspecific
\ ˌsəb-spi-ˈsi-fik
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of subspecies in a Sentence
There are two subspecies of bison in North America.
Recent Examples on the Web
Both subspecies, the Ozark and Eastern hellbenders, live exclusively in cool, fast-moving water and are sensitive to pollution and changes in habitat. — Jackson Landers, Smithsonian, "Giving ’Em Hell(benders) at the Saint Louis Zoo," 1 June 2017 The majority of wild tigers left are of the Bengal subspecies, while the other four—Siberian, Indochinese, Malay, and Sumatran—are highly endangered. — Brian Clark Howard, National Geographic, "Tiger Kills Zookeeper in 'Freak Accident'," 30 May 2017 The local subspecies can weigh up to 8 pounds and the largest birds can have a wingspan of 7 feet or more. — NOLA.com, "How the brown pelican came back from the brink of extinction," 26 May 2017 The most distinctive type of slime is a subspecies called floam, thickened by a spoonful of Styrofoam pellets. — Jamie Lauren Keiles, The New Yorker, "The “Oddly Satisfying” Pleasures of Slime Porn," 17 May 2017 In China, a subspecies called the white-handed gibbon may have gone extinct as well. — Carl Zimmer, New York Times, "Most Primate Species Threatened With Extinction, Scientists Find," 18 Jan. 2017 Since March 31, an additional 57 cases of the salmonella subspecies have been reported. — Nathan Seppa, WIRED, "Pet Frogs Transmit Salmonella," 25 Oct. 2010These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subspecies.' 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 subspecies
subspecies
noun
English Language Learners Definition of subspecies
: a group of related plants or animals that is smaller than a species : a division of a species
See the full definition for subspecies in the English Language Learners Dictionary
subspecies
noun
sub·spe·cies
| \ ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz, -sēz
\
\
Medical Definition of subspecies
: a subdivision of a species: as
a
: a category in biological classification that ranks immediately below a species and designates a population of a particular geographical region genetically distinguishable from other such populations of the same species and capable of interbreeding successfully with them where its range overlaps theirs
b
: a named subdivision (as a race or variety) of a species
Other Words from subspecies
subspecific
\ ˌsəb-spi-ˈsif-ik
\
adjective
\
adjective