Organism Meaning
/ˈɔː.ɡə.nɪ.zəm/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
nounSomething with many separate interdependent parts, seen as being like a living thing; an organic system.
Sentence Examples
Man is a complex organism.
Which organism causes malaria?
The organism begins as a single cell and grows by cell division.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
Under the microscope, the biologist observed a tiny single-celled ____ moving in the water sample.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Every living ____ requires water, nutrients, and energy to survive and reproduce.
Word Origin & History
First attested in 1701; from organ + -ism, from Ancient Greek ὄργανον (órganon, “a tool, instrument”), from Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- (“work”). Compare New Latin organismus.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field."
— 2013 July 20, “Welcome to the plastisphere”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:
"This strategy, known as caloric restriction, has been shown to increase the life span of various organisms and reduce their rate of cancer and other age-related ailments."
— 2019 July 16, Anahad O’Connor, “Cutting 300 Calories a Day Shows Health Benefits”, in The New York Times:
"For the first time, Edith was aware of the hotel as a well populated organism, its attendants merely resting until an appropriate occasion should summon them to present themselves […]."
— 1984, Anita Brookner, Hotel du Lac, Penguin, published 2016, page 52:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Under the microscope, the biologist observed a tiny single-celled ____ moving in the water sample.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Every living ____ requires water, nutrients, and energy to survive and reproduce.