habitat
HAB-uh-tat
/ˈhæb.ə.tæt/
The natural environment or specific physical location in which an animal or plant species lives.
Focuses on the specific environmental conditions and resources required by a particular species to feed, mate, and shelter.
The story behind the word. Latin habitare meant 'to dwell', a frequentative form of habere (to possess or hold). Early naturalists writing field logs in Latin wrote 'Habitat in Virginia' at the start of plant descriptions, meaning 'It dwells in Virginia'. English speakers eventually converted the Latin verb form into a standard noun.
Word relationships
- dwelling place: A informal general term for where an animal resides.
- uninhabitable zone: A region incapable of supporting living organisms.
Commonly confused with
- biome: A biome is a massive global climate realm like a desert or tundra, whereas a habitat is a localized physical home within that realm.
Word family
- inhabit (verb): To live or dwell in a place.
- habitation (noun): The act of living in a place.
Collocations
- natural habitat
- habitat destruction
- habitat loss
- critical habitat
Example sentences
- "Widespread deforestation continues to destroy the natural habitat of migratory songbirds." Forestry conservation paper
- "The government designated critical habitat necessary for the sustained recovery of the species." Federal wildlife law
Memory hook
HABITAT is where animals HABITUALLY live. Where a creature dwells naturally.
When not to use
Avoid using for human apartments or modern offices unless speaking figuratively.
Fun facts
- The word entered English directly from Latin field notes written by eighteenth-century naturalists.
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