interspecific

adjective

in·​ter·​spe·​cif·​ic ˌin-tər-spi-ˈsi-fik How to pronounce interspecific (audio)
variants or less commonly interspecies
: existing, occurring, or arising between species
an interspecific hybrid

Examples of interspecific in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Gao’s equation becomes less accurate as interspecific interactions become stronger. Anna Gibbs, Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2023 Scientists classify conflicts in two ways: Those encounters between members of different species are called interspecific conflicts, and those that occur within the same species — sometimes even within specific clans or families — are intraspecific. Sarah Jay, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2022 This suggests that interspecific hybridization not only may be more common than previously considered but may be a mechanism by which species deal with marginal habitats during periods of environmental deterioration. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2011 These cultivars have been proven to be interspecific hybrids through testing and laboratory analysis. Homes & Gardens Of The Northwest Staff, OregonLive.com, 29 July 2017 The study, published Tuesday in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, adds a demented twist to scientists’ understanding of interspecific competition— John Hoogland, National Geographic, 23 Mar. 2016 For Chernobyl birds, color is a curse [Los Angeles Times] Determinants of interspecific variation in population declines of birds after exposure to radiation at Chernobyl [Journal of Applied Ecology] Brandon Keim, WIRED, 16 July 2007

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

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interspecific was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near interspecific

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

interspecific

adjective
in·​ter·​spe·​cif·​ic ˌint-ər-spi-ˈsif-ik How to pronounce interspecific (audio)
variants or interspecies
: existing or arising between species
an interspecific hybrid

Medical Definition

interspecific

adjective
in·​ter·​spe·​cif·​ic ˌint-ər-spi-ˈsif-ik How to pronounce interspecific (audio)
variants also interspecies
: existing or arising between species
an interspecific hybrid
interspecifically adverb
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