subspecies
noun
sub·spe·cies
ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz 
-sēz
: 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
Examples of subspecies in a Sentence
There are two subspecies of bison in North America.
Recent Examples on the Web
Several zebra species and giraffe subspecies are native to Kenya.
—
Michelle Watson and Zoe Sottile, CNN, 18 Dec. 2022
Nearly 1,200 rare and endangered species and subspecies are represented.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2022
White tigers are not a separate species or subspecies of tiger.
—Riley Davis, Discover Magazine, 25 May 2022
Today, it is estimated there are more than 1 million of all subspecies flying across North America and eastern Siberia.
—Jake Frederico, The Arizona Republic, 2 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for subspecies 
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.
Michelle Watson and Zoe Sottile, CNN, 18 Dec. 2022
Nearly 1,200 rare and endangered species and subspecies are represented.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2022
White tigers are not a separate species or subspecies of tiger.
—Riley Davis, Discover Magazine, 25 May 2022
Today, it is estimated there are more than 1 million of all subspecies flying across North America and eastern Siberia.
—Jake Frederico, The Arizona Republic, 2 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for subspecies
Dictionary Entries Near subspecies
Cite this Entry
“Subspecies.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subspecies. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subspecies
noun
sub·spe·cies
ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz
-sēz
: a category in biological classification that ranks just below a species and includes a physically recognizable and geographically separate group of individuals whose members can breed successfully with members of other subspecies of the same species where their ranges overlap
Medical Definition
subspecies
noun
sub·spe·cies
ˈsəb-ˌspē-shēz, -sēz
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share