nounplural noun species

• 1

  (also sp., spp.)

  Biology
  A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. The species is the principal natural taxonomic unit, ranking below a genus and denoted by a Latin binomial, e.g. Homo sapiens.

  ‘As in Darwin's theory of natural selection, a species must adjust to survive.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘This was supposed to be representative of the very best our species was capable of achieving?’
  • ‘Organisms of a particular species all have the same genes but have different alleles.’
  • ‘They have found the genes that somewhat resemble the genes of the bird species.’
  • ‘Most species have no natural predators and so do not fear humans.’

  Synonyms

  type, kind, sort

  View synonyms

  1. 1.1Logic A group subordinate to a genus and containing individuals agreeing in some common attributes and called by a common name.
• 2A kind or sort.

  ‘a species of invective at once tough and suave’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Is it that Graphic Design will be thought of as a species of decorative art or some kind of crazy expressive thing?’

  Synonyms

  type, kind, sort

  View synonyms

  1. 2.1Used humorously to refer to people who share a characteristic or occupation.
     ‘a political species that is becoming more common, the environmental statesman’
     More example sentences

     • ‘Most writers deny thinking of a specific reader, or of a species called readers when writing.’
     • ‘In an industry where song writers are a rare species, Louie X has come to stand-out as one of the most song writers of note.’
  2. 2.2Chemistry Physics A particular kind of atom, molecule, ion, or particle.
     More example sentences

     • ‘a new molecular species’
• 3Christian Church
  The visible form of each of the elements of consecrated bread and wine in the Eucharist.