vivarium

noun

vi·​var·​i·​um vī-ˈver-ē-əm How to pronounce vivarium (audio)
plural vivaria vī-ˈver-ē-ə How to pronounce vivarium (audio) or vivariums
: a terrarium used especially for small animals

Examples of vivarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
At the college, she is kept in a quiet vivarium where students can observe her habits and learn how to rear baby snakes. — Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026 Back in the small brick building in Medellín, Asprilla returns the snake to its home, a glass vivarium that stretches from floor to ceiling. — Cassandra Willyard, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023 In biology, that reality is generated by pipettes and a vivarium full of mice, not scraped from the internet. — Lutz Finger, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026 Highlights include the massive blue whale model, mind-boggling dinosaur exhibits, and the Richard Gilder Center, which features an insectarium and butterfly vivarium. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vivarium

Word History

Etymology

Latin, park, preserve, from vivus alive — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vivarium was in 1853

Rhymes for vivarium

See All Rhymes for vivarium

Browse Nearby Words

vivandière
vivarium
vivary
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vivarium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vivarium. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vivarium

noun
vi·​var·​i·​um vī-ˈvar-ē-əm How to pronounce vivarium (audio)
-ˈver-
plural vivaria
-ē-ə
 or vivariums
: a terrarium used especially for small animals

Medical Definition

vivarium

noun
vi·​var·​i·​um vī-ˈvar-ē-əm, -ˈver- How to pronounce vivarium (audio)
plural vivaria -ē-ə How to pronounce vivarium (audio) or vivariums
: an enclosure for keeping or raising and observing animals especially for laboratory research

More from Merriam-Webster on vivarium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vivarium

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