# species

/ˈspiʃiz/ (US) · /spˈiːsiːz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/species
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. biological group

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

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

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

### 2. a type or kind

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a specific type or sort of something.

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

- This species of behavior is quite common among teenagers.
- The professor argued that this specific species of political rhetoric had not been seen since the late nineteenth century.

### 3. chemical entity

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

a specific type of atom, molecule, or ion.

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

- The experiment tracks how each chemical species reacts when the temperature rises.
- Advanced spectroscopy allows researchers to identify transient intermediate species that exist for only a fraction of a second during the reaction.

### 4. religious elements

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the bread or wine used in a Christian church service.

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

- The priest prepared the holy species before the start of the ceremony.
- Theological debates often centered on the nature of the real presence within the consecrated species during the liturgy.

## Examples

- The island is home to many rare bird species.
- Scientists recently discovered a new species of frog living deep within the tropical rainforest.
- The rapid loss of habitat has placed several endemic species on the brink of extinction, necessitating immediate conservation efforts to preserve local biodiversity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.