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
The deal is designed to draw money from a new and somewhat unusual source: companies that create and sell products, such as drugs and cosmetics, using the DNA of wild organisms.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 2 Nov. 2024
The tiny particles have been detected in every ecosystem on the planet that has been surveyed, as well as nearly every living organism examined — including the brain, heart, lungs, blood and semen of humans.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
These tiny creatures are extremophiles, adapted for life in environments that would kill most other organisms.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 24 Oct. 2024
As a result, populations of unicellular organisms spiked.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for organism 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Benji Jones, Vox, 2 Nov. 2024
The tiny particles have been detected in every ecosystem on the planet that has been surveyed, as well as nearly every living organism examined — including the brain, heart, lungs, blood and semen of humans.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
These tiny creatures are extremophiles, adapted for life in environments that would kill most other organisms.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 24 Oct. 2024
As a result, populations of unicellular organisms spiked.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 23 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 12 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