ENGLISH
REFERENCE

species

n.
US //ˈspiʃiz// UK //spˈiːsiːz// species
  1. 1 biological group (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    a group of animals or plants that are similar and can breed with each other.

    the basic unit of biological classification, consisting of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.

    Example

    Scientists have discovered a new species of colorful frog in the rainforest.

    Example

    The conservation project aims to protect endangered species whose habitats are being threatened by rapid urban expansion and climate change.

    Usage

    The word is both singular and plural: 'one species' and 'two species'.
    Pitfall
    There are many specie of birds in the forest.
    There are many species of birds in the forest.

    The word 'species' is the same in both singular and plural forms. Never use 'specie' to mean one type of animal.

  2. 2 a type or kind (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a specific type or sort of something.

    a class of individuals or objects grouped by common attributes; a distinct kind or sort.

    Example

    This species of behavior is quite common among teenagers.

    Example

    The professor argued that this specific species of political rhetoric had not been seen since the late nineteenth century.
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  1. 3 chemical entity (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Academic Science

    a specific type of atom, molecule, or ion.

    a chemically distinct atom, molecule, ion, or radical participating in a process or measurement.

    Example

    The experiment tracks how each chemical species reacts when the temperature rises.

    Example

    Advanced spectroscopy allows researchers to identify transient intermediate species that exist for only a fraction of a second during the reaction.
  2. 4 religious elements (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Religion

    the bread or wine used in a Christian church service.

    the visible forms of the elements (bread and wine) used in the Eucharist.

    Example

    The priest prepared the holy species before the start of the ceremony.

    Example

    Theological debates often centered on the nature of the real presence within the consecrated species during the liturgy.
Origin

From Latin speciēs (“appearance; quality”), from speciō (“see”) + -iēs suffix signifying abstract noun. Doublet of spice.

Word family

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