definitive host


noun Zoology.

the host in or on which a parasite spends the sexual stage of its life cycle.

Origin of definitive host

First recorded in 1900–05

Medical definitions for definitive host

definitive host
[ dĭ-fĭnĭ-tĭv ]

n.

A host in which a parasite develops to an adult or sexually mature stage. final host

Scientific definitions for definitive host

definitive host
[ dĭ-fĭnĭ-tĭv ]

See under host.