habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈha-bə-ˌtat How to pronounce habitat (audio)
1
a
: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows
b
: the typical place of residence of a person or a group
the arctic habitat of the Inuit
c
: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live under surrounding inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)
2
: the place where something is commonly found
has its natural habitat in university, in government, or in industrial laboratoriesB. B. Watson

Examples of habitat in a Sentence

a forest in California is set aside to preserve the unique brushy, rugged habitat required by nesting California condors
Recent Examples on the Web Their larval stage is their only chance to move around and find that perfect habitat. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Mar. 2024 The company has also announced sustainability targets that include using 100 percent renewable energy at sites and stores by 2026 via the LIFE 360 program—not to mention the preservation of 12.4 million acres of habitat for flora and fauna worldwide by 2030. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 The trees also provided a habitat for invertebrates living on the forest floor thanks to the twigs that would drop on the ground. Jack Guy, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 These mines would alter parts of southeastern Arizona’s sky island mountain ranges, one of the nation’s more biologically diverse habitat zones for a wide range of sensitive species. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Researchers largely attribute the increase to habitat protection and speed restrictions for boats. Jason Gulley Catrin Einhorn, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 The sites being considered, which are in essential fish habitat conservation areas, are already protected from bottom trawling, which involves dragging a fishing net along the bottom of the ocean. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Book now with Seabourn Several Alaska cruises stop in Icy Strait Point, a remote area ideal for observing wildlife in their natural habitats. Janice Wald Henderson, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2024 If the fire clears out some of that overgrowth and the eastern red cedar, the prairie grass and forb species will regenerate in those areas, restoring wildlife habitat. Karen Hickman, The Conversation, 1 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Latin, it inhabits, from habitare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of habitat was in 1796

Dictionary Entries Near habitat

Cite this Entry

“Habitat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habitat. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

habitat

noun
hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat How to pronounce habitat (audio)
: the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows

Medical Definition

habitat

noun
hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat How to pronounce habitat (audio)
1
: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally occurs
the human pubic region is the natural habitat of the crab louse
2
: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live surrounded by inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)

More from Merriam-Webster on habitat

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