specimen
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.”
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.
Word forms
specimens plural, specimina plural
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
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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.