1. A local population of organisms, especially plants or animals, that interbreed and share a common gene pool.
Usage: biology; ecology
2. In ancient Greece, a subdivision of Attica; a township or local district with its own inhabitants and local government.
Usage: history; ancient Greece

Examples

• The deme of fruit flies in the laboratory showed distinct genetic variation from other populations.
• Biologists study how demes interact and exchange genes across geographic regions.
• In ancient Athens, citizens were registered in their local deme, which determined their political rights.
• The deme served as the basic unit of local administration in classical Attica.
• Conservation efforts focus on maintaining healthy demes of endangered species in the wild.