vivarium

noun

vi·​var·​i·​um vī-ˈver-ē-əm 

plural vivaria vī-ˈver-ē-ə  or vivariums

: a terrarium used especially for small animals

Examples of vivarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For Hispanic Heritage Month, the museum's butterfly vivarium and rainforest exhibit will highlight the science, history and culture of monarch butterflies and chocolate. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2024

The Gilder Center at the AMNH features a butterfly vivarium, as well as 3,000 artifacts and specimens on display from the museum’s collections. —Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024

Back in the small brick building in Medellín, Asprilla returns the snake to its home, a glass vivarium that stretches from floor to ceiling. —Cassandra Willyard, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023

Manhattan’s newest residents live in the Gilder Center’s vast and impressive insectarium and vivarium, which between them account for all sorts of butterflies and some 500,000 leafcutter ants, among others. —Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin, park, preserve, from vivus alive — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

vivarium

noun

vi·​var·​i·​um vī-ˈvar-ē-əm 

-ˈver-

plural vivaria

-ē-ə

or vivariums

: a terrarium used especially for small animals

Medical Definition

vivarium

noun

vi·​var·​i·​um vī-ˈvar-ē-əm, -ˈver- 

plural vivaria -ē-ə  or vivariums

: an enclosure for keeping or raising and observing animals especially for laboratory research