Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural vi·var·i·ums, vi·var·i·a [vahy-vair-ee-uh, vi-] /vaɪˈvɛər i ə, vɪ-/.
- a place, such as a laboratory, where live animals or plants are kept under conditions simulating their natural environment, as for research.
noun plural -iums or -ia (-ɪə)
- a place where live animals are kept under natural conditions for study, research, etc
c.1600, “game park,” from Latin vivarium “enclosure for live game, park, warren, preserve, fish pond,” neuter singular of vivarius, from vivus “alive, living” (see vivid). Meaning “glass bowl for studying living creatures” is from 1853.