life form

or life-form

noun

1. the form that is characteristic of a particular organism at maturity.

life form

noun

1. biology the characteristic overall form and structure of a mature organism on the basis of which it can be classified
2. any living creature
3. (in science fiction) an alien

Word History and Origins

Origin of life form¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Yes, humans, like virtually every life form, have a need to procreate — but in aggregate, not individually.

From Los Angeles Times

For as long as humans have dreamt of discovering alien life forms, they have looked to Earth’s red dusty neighbor Mars as a prime contender.

From Salon

Pseudoscorpions are a highly diverse lineage of arachnid, said Poinar, an international expert in using plant and animal life forms preserved in amber to learn about the biology and ecology of the distant past.

From Science Daily

Even though the study demonstrated organic compounds could form amino acids on Enceladus, there are many other hurdles any potential life form would have to overcome to actually develop in that alien environment.

From Salon

“Imagine if you did come across a nonhuman, non-DNA–based life form that was using a vastly different communication system than yours. How would you try to communicate?” he says.

From Science Magazine