Origin: Greek suffix -ism
Organism has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
a system considered analogous in structure or function to a living body
"the social organism"
A discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.
"The petri dish contained a single organism that was thriving under the new conditions."
In plain English: An organism is any living thing, from tiny bacteria to huge blue whales, that can grow and reproduce on its own.
"The scientist studied how each organism reacts to changes in its environment."
Usage: Use organism to refer to any single, independent living entity like an animal, plant, or bacterium rather than a group of them. This term covers all life forms from microscopic microbes to large mammals without distinguishing between their specific biological kingdoms.
The word "organism" first appeared in 1701, formed from the English word "organ" and the suffix "-ism." It ultimately traces its roots to Ancient Greek for "a tool or instrument," which comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "work."