What does "organism" mean?

1. (a living thing) any living thing, from a tiny germ to a giant whale. 2. (a complex system) a large system or organization that has many parts working together like a body.

How do you use "organism"?

Countable noun; often used in scientific or academic contexts rather than casual conversation.

organism

US //ˈɔɹɡəˌnɪzəm// UK //ˈɔːɡənˌɪzəm// or·gan·ism

1 a living thing (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Science

any living thing, from a tiny germ to a giant whale.

an individual living system, such as an animal, plant, fungus, or bacterium, capable of response to stimuli, reproduction, growth, and homeostasis.

Example

The pond is full of tiny organisms that you can only see with a microscope.

Example

Biologists are still discovering new marine organisms in the deepest parts of the ocean that survive without any sunlight.

Usage

Countable noun; often used in scientific or academic contexts rather than casual conversation.
- living thing
- creature
- entity
- inanimate object
2 a complex system (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal

a large system or organization that has many parts working together like a body.

a complex structure or organization with interdependent parts whose functions are determined by their relation to the whole.

Example

The government is a massive organism that changes very slowly.

Example

The city functions as a social organism, where transport, housing, and commerce must remain in balance to ensure the health of the community.

Teacher's tip

This is a metaphorical use; learners should use it when describing how different departments or sections of a large group interact.

Origin

First attested in 1701; from organ + -ism, from Ancient Greek ὄργανον (órganon, “a tool, instrument”), from Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- (“work”). Compare New Latin organismus.

Word family

Nouncyborg
Nounorganism