Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
parasite
Noun
/ˈpærəˌsaɪt/
Definition
A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism, causing harm to the host while benefiting from it.
Examples
- In nature, many plants can be parasites that extract nutrients from their host plants.
- Tapeworms are a common type of parasite found in the intestines of mammals.
- The movie depicted the life cycle of a parasite in a compelling way.
Meaning
The term ‘parasite’ typically refers to any organism that relies on another for survival, often at the expense of the host.
Synonyms
- Leech
- Freeloader
- Mooched