organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm 
1
: a complex structure of interdependent and subordinate elements whose relations and properties are largely determined by their function in the whole
the nation is not merely the sum of individual citizens at any given time, but it is a living organism, a mystical body … of which the individual is an ephemeral part—
Joseph Rossi
Joseph Rossi2
: an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of parts or organs more or less separate in function but mutually dependent : a living being
a multicellular organism
Examples of organism in a Sentence
A human being is a complex organism.
Recent Examples on the Web
And now, research published Tuesday in the journal Geology suggests the flowing of ancient glaciers may have directly shaped chemical changes in the ocean that were critical for the evolution of complex organisms.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
He was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, an infection in both lungs, and what’s known as a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, which means multiple types of bacteria, viruses, or other organisms are in the lungs.
—Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Because very few organisms survive in the brine pools, the sediment layers have remained undisturbed and have preserved an archive of past climate changes and geological events.
—Christina Shaw, Fox News, 21 Feb. 2025
Plants are resistant to summer and winter pythium species, disease organisms that cause root rots.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for organism
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Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
He was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, an infection in both lungs, and what’s known as a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, which means multiple types of bacteria, viruses, or other organisms are in the lungs.
—Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Because very few organisms survive in the brine pools, the sediment layers have remained undisturbed and have preserved an archive of past climate changes and geological events.
—Christina Shaw, Fox News, 21 Feb. 2025
Plants are resistant to summer and winter pythium species, disease organisms that cause root rots.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for organism
Cite this Entry
“Organism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organism. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm
1
: something having many related parts that function together as a whole
2
: an individual living thing that carries on the activities of life by means of organs which have separate functions but are dependent on each other : a living person, plant, or animal
Medical Definition
organism
noun
or·gan·ism
ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm
: an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of organs separate in function but mutually dependent : a living being
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