speciation

noun

spe·​ci·​a·​tion ˌspē-shē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce speciation (audio)
-sē-
: the process of biological species formation
speciate intransitive verb
speciational adjective

Examples of speciation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Since Darwin’s finches use songs to attract mates, the song changes related to beak evolution could be a catalyst behind ecological speciation. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Oct. 2024 However, speciation is a historical process that takes place over a long period of time. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Oct. 2024 Hybrid speciation, in which a new species originates from a cross-species pairing, has been documented in butterflies, fish, toads and dolphins. Rebecca Heisman, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024 Dietary adaptation and flexibility was likely also a driver of speciation, especially near the end of the Neogene period about 3 million years ago, as was geographic distribution and dental morphologies, the authors said. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for speciation 

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of speciation was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near speciation

Cite this Entry

“Speciation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speciation. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

speciation

noun
spe·​ci·​a·​tion ˌspē-shē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce speciation (audio)
-sē-
: the formation of a new species (as that occurring as a result of isolation in a geographic area)

More from Merriam-Webster on speciation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!