organism

noun

or·​gan·​ism ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce organism (audio)
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 partJoseph 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
organismic adjective
or less commonly organismal
organismically adverb

Examples of organism in a Sentence

A human being is a complex organism.
Recent Examples on the Web Scientists using the Hubble Space Telescope and the Galileo space probe have detected evidence of water plumes erupting from Europa’s surface, potentially indicating the subsurface sea has a source of heat that could sustain organisms. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024 Holes are also burrowed for viewers to peek into the gallery wall, suggesting art as a living organism and providing a weird element in an exhibition that is largely lacking in weirdness. Martha Schwendener, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Less oxygen would make it into the lower, colder and denser levels, which could cause plankton and other organisms to die, some scientists believe. Todd Richmond, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 Through the process of bioaccumulation in living organisms, PFAS chemicals and other micropollutants can build up over time, multiplying their harmful effects. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024 Bioluminescence is the ability of certain organisms to produce light through a chemical reaction within their bodies. Scott Travers, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The more likely reason for Charlotte’s immaculate conception is something known as parthenogenesis, a process by which an organism essentially impregnates itself. Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2024 An embryo is one of the earliest stages of development of a multicellular organism. Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 22 Feb. 2024 The egg and each polar body each contain half of the complement of genes needed to make a new organism. Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'organism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of organism was circa 1774

Dictionary Entries Near organism

Cite this Entry

“Organism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organism. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

organism

noun
or·​gan·​ism ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce organism (audio)
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
organismic adjective

Medical Definition

organism

noun
or·​gan·​ism ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce organism (audio)
: an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of organs separate in function but mutually dependent : a living being
organismic adjective
also organismal
organismically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on organism

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