Habitability: meaning, definitions and examples
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habitability
[ ˌhæbɪˈtæbɪlɪti ]
living conditions
Habitability refers to the suitability of an environment for human life and activities. It encompasses various factors such as availability of resources, climate conditions, and the presence of essential services. In the context of planetary science, habitability indicates whether a celestial body can support life as we understand it, particularly in terms of liquid water, atmosphere, and temperature. The assessment of habitability is crucial in astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life.
Synonyms
inhabitability, livability, sustainability
Examples of usage
- The habitability of Mars has been a subject of extensive research.
- Scientists are studying the habitability of exoplanets.
- Climate change may impact the habitability of certain regions on Earth.
Translations
Translations of the word "habitability" in other languages:
🇵🇹 habitabilidade
🇮🇳 आवासीयता
🇩🇪 Bewohnbarkeit
🇮🇩 keterhunian
🇺🇦 життєздатність
🇵🇱 zamieszkiwalność
🇯🇵 居住可能性
🇫🇷 habitabilité
🇪🇸 habitabilidad
🇹🇷 yaşanabilirlik
🇰🇷 거주 가능성
🇸🇦 قابلية السكن
🇨🇿 obyvatelnost
🇸🇰 obyvateľnosť
🇨🇳 可居住性
🇸🇮 naseljenost
🇮🇸 íbúðarhæfi
🇰🇿 тұруға жарамдылық
🇬🇪 ბინადრობის შესაძლებლობა
🇦🇿 yaşayış üçün uyğunluq
🇲🇽 habitabilidad
Etymology
The term 'habitability' stems from the root word 'habit', which traces back to the Latin 'habitare', meaning 'to dwell or inhabit'. This Latin word finds its roots in 'habitus', signifying condition or state. The suffix '-ity' is used in English to form nouns that signify a state or condition, derivatively indicating the quality of being suitable for habitation. The word first gained prominence in discussions about ecology and astrobiology in the late 20th century. Scientific exploration of habitability began to focus not only on Earth but also on other planets and moons within our solar system and beyond, driven by advances in astronomy and space exploration.