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
Some of the ecological roles of native mushrooms include aiding in the decay of plant material, such as dead wood, and cycling nutrients from dead organisms into the soil and atmosphere.
—Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025
Learn about the tiny organisms that create glowing waters during this magical experience.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2025
The mental model of a business has shifted from that of a machine that is focused primarily on internal efficiency to an organism focused primarily on external value creation.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Those findings focused on cells and worms growing in a dish; Vind wanted to see how the pathway played out in a larger, more humanlike organism.
—Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 14 July 2025
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Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025
Learn about the tiny organisms that create glowing waters during this magical experience.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2025
The mental model of a business has shifted from that of a machine that is focused primarily on internal efficiency to an organism focused primarily on external value creation.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Those findings focused on cells and worms growing in a dish; Vind wanted to see how the pathway played out in a larger, more humanlike organism.
—Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 14 July 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 23 Jul. 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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