interspecific
adjective
in·ter·spe·cif·ic
ˌin-tər-spi-ˈsi-fik 
variants
or less commonly interspecies
ˌin-tər-ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz
-(ˌ)sēz
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Cite this Entry
“Interspecific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interspecific. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interspecific
adjective
in·ter·spe·cif·ic
ˌint-ər-spi-ˈsif-ik
variants
or interspecies
-ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz
-(ˌ)sēz
: existing or arising between species
an interspecific hybrid
Medical Definition
interspecific
adjective
in·ter·spe·cif·ic
ˌint-ər-spi-ˈsif-ik
variants
also interspecies
: existing or arising between species
an interspecific hybrid
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share