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
Studying organisms with large genomes can help researchers better understand how genomic size relates to evolution and ecology.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2024
Researchers using urchins in which that protein no longer works can study the movement of a molecule through an organism — DDT, for example — and measure how much of the substance ends up in the cell without the confounding interference of ABCD1.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
Recombinant vaccines use a small piece of genetic material from a pathogen (infectious organism), like SARS-CoV-2, to trigger an immune response.
—Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 9 May 2024
This process could potentially expose living organisms to high concentrations of these harmful substances.
—Mohan Qin, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for organism 
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2024
Researchers using urchins in which that protein no longer works can study the movement of a molecule through an organism — DDT, for example — and measure how much of the substance ends up in the cell without the confounding interference of ABCD1.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
Recombinant vaccines use a small piece of genetic material from a pathogen (infectious organism), like SARS-CoV-2, to trigger an immune response.
—Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 9 May 2024
This process could potentially expose living organisms to high concentrations of these harmful substances.
—Mohan Qin, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for organism
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.
Dictionary Entries Near organism
Cite this Entry
“Organism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organism. Accessed 9 Jun. 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
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