definitive host

noun

, Zoology.

1. the host in or on which a parasite spends the sexual stage of its life cycle.

definitive host

/ dĭ-fĭn′ĭ-tĭv /

1. See under host

Word History and Origins

Origin of definitive host¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

But with the advent of agriculture, T. gondii's definitive host and multiple secondary hosts found themselves living together in close proximity.

From Nature

Even though Tim Wonnacott has now been presenting Bargain Hunt for three times longer than David Dickinson ever did, Dickinson is still seen as the definitive host.

From The Guardian

Its different Vertebrate habitat, and also the fact that its Insectan definitive host is Culex and not Anopheles, differentiate it sharply from Laverania and Plasmodium.

From Project Gutenberg

“Evolution places immensely strong pressure on parasites to be transmitted to the definitive host,” Dr. Barber said — in this case, tiddler-eating birds — where they can mature and produce millions of eggs.

From New York Times

“What happened 10,000 years ago was something really quite spectacular, which is that its definitive host became incredibly abundant,” Howard says.

From Nature