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
Yesterday's [podcast] was on interspecific brood parasites.
—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
What makes the drongo stand out is its success in cross-species strategic manipulation, which is a highly rare form of interspecific deception.
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 Feb. 2026
The speed and ease with which interspecific hybridization can happen means that the genus is perplexing for scientists to trace back in time, never quite maintaining a straight chronology.
—
Literary Hub,
7 May 2025
Gao’s equation becomes less accurate as interspecific interactions become stronger.
—
Anna Gibbs,
Quanta Magazine,
6 Mar. 2023
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
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
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Renée Onque,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
What makes the drongo stand out is its success in cross-species strategic manipulation, which is a highly rare form of interspecific deception.
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 Feb. 2026
The speed and ease with which interspecific hybridization can happen means that the genus is perplexing for scientists to trace back in time, never quite maintaining a straight chronology.
—
Literary Hub,
7 May 2025
Gao’s equation becomes less accurate as interspecific interactions become stronger.
—
Anna Gibbs,
Quanta Magazine,
6 Mar. 2023
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Interspecific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interspecific. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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
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