Word
specimen
Phoneticsspec·i·men, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈspɛsəmən/
UK/spˈɛsɪmən/
Definitions
01scientific example
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science Academic
n. a single plant, animal, or object that is used as an example of its whole group for study.
n. an individual animal, plant, or mineral used as an example of its species or type for scientific study or display.
“The museum has a perfect specimen of a rare butterfly from the Amazon.”
“The botanist spent years searching for a well-preserved specimen of the orchid to include in the university's permanent collection.”
Usage
Often used with 'of' to specify the category being represented.
02medical sample
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a small amount of something from your body, like blood or urine, that a doctor tests.
n. a sample of bodily fluid or tissue taken for diagnostic or analytical testing.
Español:ejemplar
“The nurse asked the patient to provide a urine specimen for the lab.”
“The laboratory required a fresh blood specimen to ensure the accuracy of the chemical analysis.”
Usage
Commonly used in clinical and hospital settings.
03a person
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Humorous · Informal
n. a person who has a very specific physical appearance or character.
n. an individual person viewed as having particular physical or personality traits, often used with an adjective.
“The athlete was a fine physical specimen, tall and very strong.”
“He was a curious specimen of a man, always wearing a heavy wool coat even in the middle of a heatwave.”
Teaching tip
This sense is often used ironically or to describe someone's physical fitness.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “specimen” in context.
Verb
01. collect a specimen
“The botanist spent the afternoon in the rainforest to collect a specimen of the rare orchid.”
verb + noun
02. examine the specimen
“The lab technician will examine the specimen under a microscope to look for abnormalities.”
verb + noun
03. provide a specimen of blood
“The patient was asked to provide a specimen of blood for further diagnostic testing.”
verb + noun + of + noun
Adjective
04. fine specimen
“That stallion is a fine specimen of the breed, showing both strength and grace.”
adj + noun
05. pristine specimen
“The museum recently acquired a pristine specimen of a Jurassic-era fossil.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. collection of specimens
“The university boasts an impressive collection of specimens from the Galapagos Islands.”
noun + of + noun
07. specimen jar
“Please place the tissue sample carefully into the sterile specimen jar.”
noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“Photograph: Jim Wileman/The Guardian Lyme Regis Museum was aware of Moore’s collection and considered it among the best private collections from the Lower Lias of Dorset, containing several unique specimens.” “It is the first confirmed example of this part of the skull in a Japanese mosasaur specimen.” Etymology
From Latin specimen (“mark, sign, example”), from speciō (“observe, watch”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/specimen
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0