organism Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
    being.
  2. noun a system considered analogous in structure or function to a living body
    • the social organism

WordNet

Or"gan*ism noun
Etymology
Cf. F. organisme.
Definitions
  1. Organic structure; organization. "The advantageous organism of the eye." Grew.
  2. (Biol.) An organized being; a living body, either vegetable or animal, compozed of different organs or parts with functions which are separate, but mutually dependent, and essential to the life of the individual. ✍ Some of the lower forms of life are so simple in structure as to be without organs, but are still called organisms, since they have different parts analogous in functions to the organs of higher plants and animals.

Webster 1913