habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈha-bə-ˌtat 

1

a

: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows

b

: the typical place of residence of a person or a group

the arctic habitat of the Inuit

c

: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live under surrounding inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)

2

: the place where something is commonly found

… has its natural habitat in university, in government, or in industrial laboratories.

—B. B. Watson

Synonyms of habitat

• home
• territory
• range

Examples of habitat in a Sentence

a forest in California is set aside to preserve the unique brushy, rugged habitat required by nesting California condors

Recent Examples on the Web

Learn about the native coastal sage scrub habitat along with a history lesson on the Palos Verdes area. —Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026

Marshes that were normally dry inundated, expanding habitat for small fish and crayfish, which spiked their populations. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

Much of Culebra is now protected under the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which preserves mangroves, dry forest, and charming coastal habitats used by seabirds and marine life. —Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026

Flowers provide food and habitat for these pollinators, whose populations are dwindling. —Patricia S York, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, it inhabits, from habitare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for habitat

• acrobat
• autocrat
• automat
• bundesrat
• bureaucrat
• butterfat
• caveat
• chemostat
• copycat
• cryostat
• democrat
• diplomat

Kids Definition

habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat 

: the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows

Medical Definition

habitat

noun

hab·​i·​tat ˈhab-ə-ˌtat 

1

: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally occurs

the human pubic region is the natural habitat of the crab louse

2

: a housing for a controlled physical environment in which people can live surrounded by inhospitable conditions (as under the sea)