subspecies

[ suhb-spee-sheez, suhb-spee- ]
/ ˈsʌbˌspi ʃiz, sʌbˈspi- /

noun, plural sub·spe·cies.

a subdivision of a species, especially a geographical or ecological subdivision.

Origin of subspecies

First recorded in 1690–1700; sub- + species

Words nearby subspecies

subsolar, subsong, subsonic, subspace, subspecialty, subspecies, subspecific, subspinale, subspontaneous, subst., substage

Example sentences from the Web for subspecies

British Dictionary definitions for subspecies

subspecies
/ (ˈsʌbˌspiːʃiːz) /

noun plural -cies

biology a taxonomic group that is a subdivision of a species: usually occurs because of isolation within a species Abbreviation: ssp

Derived forms of subspecies

subspecific (ˌsʌbspɪˈsɪfɪk), adjective subspecifically, adverb

Scientific definitions for subspecies

subspecies
[ sŭb′spē′shēz, -sēz ]

A subdivision of a species of organisms, usually based on geographic distribution. The subspecies name is written in lowercase italics following the species name. For example, Gorilla gorilla gorilla is the western lowland gorilla, and Gorilla gorilla graueri is the eastern lowland gorilla.