organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm 
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
Joseph Rossi2
: 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
Examples of organism in a Sentence
A human being is a complex organism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Steve Spence / National Geographic Tiny organisms called coral polyps come together in complex networks to form colonies that then make up even larger coral reefs.
—Peter Guo, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Much as biologists try to understand life by studying organisms that live in the most extreme environments, mathematicians have much to gain by mapping out the extreme edges of the world of elliptic curves.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024
By analyzing microfossils — fossils about the size of a thumbnail — within the limestone, researchers found that the tiny ancient organisms preserved in the stone were from Europe, according to a study published September 4 in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024
Traditionally, that could only be done through labor-intensive fieldwork aimed at finding and tallying species and identifying rare organisms or vulnerable habitats in need of protection.
—Byandrew J. Wight, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for organism 
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.
Peter Guo, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Much as biologists try to understand life by studying organisms that live in the most extreme environments, mathematicians have much to gain by mapping out the extreme edges of the world of elliptic curves.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024
By analyzing microfossils — fossils about the size of a thumbnail — within the limestone, researchers found that the tiny ancient organisms preserved in the stone were from Europe, according to a study published September 4 in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024
Traditionally, that could only be done through labor-intensive fieldwork aimed at finding and tallying species and identifying rare organisms or vulnerable habitats in need of protection.
—Byandrew J. Wight, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for organism
Dictionary Entries Near organism
Cite this Entry
“Organism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm
1
: something having many related parts that function together as a whole
2
: an individual living thing that carries on the activities of life by means of organs which have separate functions but are dependent on each other : a living person, plant, or animal
Medical Definition
organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm
: an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of organs separate in function but mutually dependent : a living being
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share