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
The effect on deep-sea organisms was even more dire.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Organic pesticides can still have environmental impacts because they are designed to control living organisms.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
These boneless organisms fossilized as biofilm — they were rapidly buried and compressed between layers of rock, leaving behind two-dimensional impressions of their organic tissues.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
If necessary, aerate compacted soils and incorporate compost or organic matter to encourage biological activity from soil organisms that naturally improve soil structure.
—Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for organism
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Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Organic pesticides can still have environmental impacts because they are designed to control living organisms.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
These boneless organisms fossilized as biofilm — they were rapidly buried and compressed between layers of rock, leaving behind two-dimensional impressions of their organic tissues.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
If necessary, aerate compacted soils and incorporate compost or organic matter to encourage biological activity from soil organisms that naturally improve soil structure.
—Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for organism
Cite this Entry
“Organism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organism. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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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