'endangered species' definitions:
Definition of 'endangered species'
(from WordNet)
noun
A species whose numbers are so small that the species is at risk of extinction
Definition of 'endangered species'
From: GCIDE
- endangered species \en*dan"gered spe"cies\, n. sing. & pl. A species of plant or animal that has declined in numbers to a point where further irreversible decline and extinction[3] has a significant chance. Lists of endangered species are maintained by government agencies, and in many cases the killing of such species or destruction of their habitat is prohibited by law.
- Note: In the U. S. in recent years, development of certain tracts of land has been prohibited due to the likelihood that it will cause a reduction in the numbers of an endangered species. In some cases environmental organizations have initiated litigation to cause the courts to rule that a certain development plan is illegal due to a threat to an endangered species. Laws protecting endangered species have become in some cases a contentious political issue. [PJC]