SPECIES

(plural species), abbreviation sp [noun] [C] - a set of animals or plants, members of which have similar characteristics to each other and which can breed with each otherBiologists have estimated that there are around one million animal and plant species living in the rainforests.The rhinoceros is one of the oldest surviving mammalian species.Mountain gorillas are an endangered species.Dinosaurs are an extinct species.Dolphins are a protected species. We found a rare species of orchid.Over a hundred species of insect are found in this area.See also subspecies.(figurative informal humorous) Species is sometimes also used to refer to people or things.Women film directors in Hollywood are a rare species.Now that so many people use computers, the typewriter has become almost an extinct species.He was wearing a strange species of hat - like a large helmet with ear flaps.