biome

American  

[bahy-ohm] / ˈbaɪ oʊm /

noun

Ecology.

1. a complex biotic community characterized by distinctive plant and animal species and maintained under the climatic conditions of the region, especially such a community that has developed to climax.

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biome British  

/ ˈbaɪˌəʊm /

noun

1. a major ecological community, extending over a large area and usually characterized by a dominant vegetation See formation

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biome Scientific  

/ bī′ōm′ /

1. A large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region. Terrestrial biomes, typically defined by their climate and dominant vegetation, include grassland, tundra, desert, tropical rainforest, and deciduous and coniferous forests. There are two basic aquatic biomes, freshwater and marine, which are sometimes further broken down into categories such as lakes and rivers or pelagic, benthic, and intertidal zones.

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Etymology

Origin of biome

First recorded in 1915–20; bi- ² + -ome, indicating a mass or part of something ( -oma )

Example Sentences

Your gut biome is the holy grail of wellness, so it’s only natural us humans would want to find it, conquer it and aggressively exploit it.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

But he warns that more "modest" changes to diets - for example, if you do it one day and not the next - then the biome won't see much benefit.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

On the positive, the study also identifies locations within every biome on Earth where the climate mitigation benefits of tree-planting can be achieved.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2024

Its topography and biome change drastically from chapter to chapter, bringing not only new vistas, but also new modes of exploration and unique gameplay mechanics.

From New York Times • Feb. 22, 2024

She might be studying plants of the tundra biome when her mind questioned whether his teacher was calling him Henry, which he hated.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

Related Words

• ecosystem
• habitat