endangered species

noun

: a species threatened with extinction

broadly : anyone or anything whose continued existence is threatened

Examples of endangered species in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The birds have recovered so well that they were removed from the endangered species list in 2007, but conservationists still keep an eye on our national bird, which remains protected under two federal laws. —

Jamie Siebrase, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2025 Those regulations were criticized at the time for coming at the expense of endangered species. —

Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025 Their efforts resulted in a resurgence of the snail darter population that led to its removal from the endangered species list in 2022. —

Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025 Humans have hunted many others to extinction as well, and currently every species of lemur is on the endangered species list. —

Erik Kain, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for endangered species

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of endangered species was in 1865

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Endangered species.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endangered%20species. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Copy Citation