subspecies
Syllabification: (sub·spe·cies)
Pronunciation: /ˈsəbˌspēSHēz, -sēz/
(abbreviation: subsp. or ssp.)
Definition of subspecies
noun ( plural same)
Biology- a taxonomic category that ranks below species, usually a fairly permanent geographically isolated race. Subspecies are designated by a Latin trinomial, e.g., (in zoology) Ursus arctos horribilis or (in botany) Beta vulgaris subsp. crassa. Compare with form (sense 3 of the noun) and variety (sense 2).
