In biology, an animal is any living thing that is not a plant. This includes all animals that have a backbone (vertebrates) and all animals that do not have a backbone (invertebrates).
In everyday language, the word animal is often used to refer to a domesticated or tamed species, such as a pet. For example, we might say that a dog is an animal, but a cat is not an animal.
In philosophy and religion, the concept of an animal is often used to refer to a non-human creature. For example, in some religious traditions, animals are considered to be sacred or divine.
The word animal is derived from the Latin word "animalis," which means "having breath." This term was originally used to describe all living creatures, including humans. However, over time, the term came to be used more narrowly to refer to non-human animals.