specimen
SPEH-sih-mihn
Specimen (noun) means a single example of something, used to represent or study the wider group it belongs to. Example: “The museum has a rare specimen of a fossilized fern.”
noun
1
A single example of something, used to represent or study the wider group it belongs to.
"The museum has a rare specimen of a fossilized fern."
"The biologist collected leaf specimens from the forest."
"Each specimen in the collection was labelled with the place where it was found."
2
A sample of tissue, blood, or other material taken for testing or analysis.
"The nurse asked for a urine specimen."
"The lab technician labelled each blood specimen before sending it away."
"The doctor said the specimen would be tested and the results ready soon."
How to use specimen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne example taken to represent or test a larger category — a plant, an animal, or a lab sample.
Common pairings
a rare specimen
collect a specimen
a blood specimen
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Word forms
- Plural
- specimens, specimina
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum has a rare _____ of a fossilized fern.
Etymology
From Latin specimen, "example, sign," from specio, "to observe."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for specimen
See all rhymes for specimen →Frequently asked questions
What does “specimen” mean?
The word “specimen” means a single example of something, used to represent or study the wider group it belongs to. In plain terms, one example taken to represent or test a larger category — a plant, an animal, or a lab sample.
How do you pronounce “specimen”?
“Specimen” is pronounced SPEH-sih-mihn (/ˈspɛsɪmɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “specimen” in a sentence?
Here is “specimen” used in a sentence: “The museum has a rare specimen of a fossilized fern.”
What is another word for “specimen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “specimen” include sample and individual.
What part of speech is “specimen”?
“Specimen” is a noun.
Where does the word “specimen” come from?
The word “specimen” comes from Latin. From Latin specimen, "example, sign," from specio, "to observe.".
Is “specimen” a common word?
“Specimen” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “specimen” have?
“Specimen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a single example of something, used to represent or study the wider group it belongs to.
What does specimen mean in a medical context?
In medicine, a specimen refers to a sample of tissue, blood, or other material taken from a patient for testing or analysis, such as a blood specimen sent to a lab.
Is specimen only used for scientific examples?
While specimen is most common in scientific, medical, and museum contexts to describe a representative example of a species or material, it can also be used informally, sometimes humorously, to describe a person or object as a notable example of a type.
