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
Most corals are sessile organisms, which remain permanently attached to a substrate or base, such as algae that grows on a rock, throughout their lifespan.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
According to multiple sources, there are unfortunately no publicly available tests to detect this ubiquitous organism in the environment.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Future research will explore a broader range of endosymbiotic relationships to identify which mechanisms are universal and which are unique to specific organisms.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
This is because out of the more than 6,000 species of coral known to science, most are colonial organisms — individual animals that make their homes next to and on top of one another.
—Jason Bittel, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for organism 
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Julianna Bragg, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
According to multiple sources, there are unfortunately no publicly available tests to detect this ubiquitous organism in the environment.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Future research will explore a broader range of endosymbiotic relationships to identify which mechanisms are universal and which are unique to specific organisms.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
This is because out of the more than 6,000 species of coral known to science, most are colonial organisms — individual animals that make their homes next to and on top of one another.
—Jason Bittel, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
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 5 Feb. 2025.
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
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