ENDANGERED SPECIES Definition & Meaning

endangered species

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A plant or animal species existing in such small numbers that it is in danger of becoming extinct, especially such a species placed in jeopardy as a result of human activity. One of the principal factors in the endangerment or extinction of a species is the destruction or pollution of its native habitat. Other factors include overhunting, intentional extermination, and the accidental or intentional introduction of alien species that outcompete the native species for environmental resources.

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Idioms and Phrases

A group threatened with extinction or destruction. For example, Workers willing to put in overtime without extra pay are an endangered species , or With the new budget cuts, public television has become an endangered species . This expression, originally referring to species of plants or animals in danger of dying out, began in the 1980s to be extended to anything or anyone becoming rare.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Dozens wrote a letter decrying the measure for rolling back protections for endangered species and removing accountability against “extractive industries.”

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The burros have roamed the pine forests and sagebrush fields of the Big Bear Valley area, but their numbers could overwhelm rare and endangered species of plants.

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That would be bad news for the planet, as virgin palm oil is linked to increased tropical deforestation, which adds to climate change and threatening endangered species like orang-utans.

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Dolphins are only rehabilitated if they’re endangered species; they tend to experience intense stress hormones and trouble breathing when they’re around people and out of the water.

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But it’s “not just a program to monitor this endangered species,” Levi said.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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