superorganism
noun
su·per·or·gan·ism
ˌsü-pər-ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm 
: an organized society (as of a social insect) that functions as an organic whole
Examples of superorganism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Scientists have captured the first videos of wild roundworms forming living, wriggling towers that behave as one big superorganism
By Jacek Krywko edited by Allison Parshall
Join Our Community of Science Lovers!
—
Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 5 June 2025
But though superorganism behavior is uncommon across the tree of life, worm towers themselves are surprisingly commonplace.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
Emergent behavior is the principle of a superorganism.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2025
But, in fact, this superorganism is also quite various.
—Lydia Davis, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024
The ants are biological marvels, living in enormous colonies that function as a single superorganism.
—Emily Anthes Todd Heisler, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2023
In short, the ant raft is a superorganism.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2022
In any case, the striking parallels in Hou's study shows that the life of a superorganism is lorded over by the same numbers that governs the life of a solitary insect.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2010
Indeed, Bochynek and co think of it as a superorganism itself.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 5 June 2025
But though superorganism behavior is uncommon across the tree of life, worm towers themselves are surprisingly commonplace.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
Emergent behavior is the principle of a superorganism.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2025
But, in fact, this superorganism is also quite various.
—Lydia Davis, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024
The ants are biological marvels, living in enormous colonies that function as a single superorganism.
—Emily Anthes Todd Heisler, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2023
In short, the ant raft is a superorganism.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2022
In any case, the striking parallels in Hou's study shows that the life of a superorganism is lorded over by the same numbers that governs the life of a solitary insect.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2010
Indeed, Bochynek and co think of it as a superorganism itself.
—The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Superorganism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superorganism. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share