habitat

[ hab-i-tat ]
/ ˈhæb ɪˌtæt /

noun

the natural environment of an organism; place that is natural for the life and growth of an organism: a tropical habitat.
the place where a person or thing is usually found: Paris is a major habitat of artists.
a special environment for living in over an extended period, as an underwater research vessel.

Origin of habitat

1755–65; < Latin: it inhabits, 3rd singular present indicative of habitāre, frequentative of habēre to have, hold

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH habitat

biosphere ecology ecosystem environment habitat habitant habitat

Example sentences from the Web for habitat

British Dictionary definitions for habitat

habitat
/ (ˈhæbɪˌtæt) /

noun

the environment in which an animal or plant normally lives or grows
the place in which a person, group, class, etc, is normally found

Word Origin for habitat

C18: from Latin: it inhabits, from habitāre to dwell, from habēre to have

Scientific definitions for habitat

habitat
[ hăbĭ-tăt′ ]

The area or natural environment in which an organism or population normally lives. A habitat is made up of physical factors such as soil, moisture, range of temperature, and availability of light as well as biotic factors such as the availability of food and the presence of predators. A habitat is not necessarily a geographic area-for a parasitic organism it is the body of its host or even a cell within the host's body.

Cultural definitions for habitat

habitat

The area or type of environment in which a particular kind of animal or plant usually lives.