organism

plural organisms

1. biologyA discrete and complete living thing, such as animal, plant, fungus or microorganism.First known use 19th c.

   This strategy, known as caloric restriction, has been shown to increase the life span of various organisms and reduce their rate of cancer and other age-related ailments.

   2019 July 16, Anahad O’Connor, “Cutting 300 Calories a Day Shows Health Benefits”, in The New York Times

   1 more example

   Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field.

   2013 July 20, “Welcome to the plastisphere”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845

2. Something with many separate interdependent parts, seen as being like a living thing; an organic system.First known use 18th c.

   For the first time, Edith was aware of the hotel as a well populated organism, its attendants merely resting until an appropriate occasion should summon them to present themselves […].

   1984, Anita Brookner, Hotel du Lac, Penguin, published 2016, page 52

3. obsoleterareThe fact of being organic; organicity.First known use 18th–19th c.