niche

[nich] /nɪtʃ/
noun
1.
an ornamental recess in a wall or the like, usually semicircular in plan and arched, as for a statue or other decorative object.
2.
a place or position suitable or appropriate for a person or thing:
to find one's niche in the business world.
3.
a distinct segment of a market.
4.
Ecology. the position or function of an organism in a community of plants and animals.
adjective
5.
pertaining to or intended for a market niche; having specific appeal:
niche advertising.
verb (used with object), niched, niching.
6.
to place (something) in a niche.
Origin
1605-15; < French, Middle French, back formation from nicher to make a nest < Vulgar Latin *nīdiculāre, derivative of Latin nīdus nest
Related forms
unniched, adjective
Synonyms
2. calling, vocation, slot, berth.
Examples from the web for niche
  • Also realize that some niche products are designed to stay as niche products.
  • Once upon a time, "niche" automakers had unique appeal that wasn't for everyone.
  • As a photographer, you want to have a niche.
  • Unconventional methods find a niche among teachers of English.
  • The book has found a niche in school curricula, as well.
  • The future lies very much within niche social networks,
  • We had a niche—and we were the only one in it.
  • Develop a niche market or niche product line that enables you to be distinct.
  • Each one has her own little table and her own window niche for her work.
  • They take advantage of every ecological niche, growing crops in valleys and grazing llamas and alpacas on to bleak mountaintops.
British Dictionary definitions for niche

niche

/nɪtʃ; niːʃ/
noun
1.
a recess in a wall, esp one that contains a statue
2.
any similar recess, such as one in a rock face
3.
a position particularly suitable for the person occupying it: he found his niche in politics
4.
(modifier) relating to or aimed at a small specialized group or market
5.
(ecology) the role of a plant or animal within its community and habitat, which determines its activities, relationships with other organisms, etc
verb
6.
(transitive) to place (a statue) in a niche; ensconce (oneself)
Word Origin
C17: from French, from Old French nichier to nest, from Vulgar Latin nīdicāre (unattested) to build a nest, from Latin nīdusnest
Word Origin and History for niche
n.

1610s, "shallow recess in a wall," from French niche "recess (for a dog), kennel" (14c.), perhaps from Italian nicchia "niche, nook," from nicchio "seashell," said by Klein and Barnhart to be probably from Latin mitulus "mussel," but the change of -m- to -n- is not explained. Watkins suggests that the word is from an Old French noun derived from nichier "to nestle, nest, build a nest," via Gallo-Romance *nidicare from Latin nidus "nest;" but that has difficulties, too. Figurative sense is first recorded 1725. Biological use dates from 1927.

niche in Medicine

niche (nĭch, nēsh)
n.

  1. An eroded or ulcerated area detected by contrast radiography.

  2. The function or position of an organism or a population within an ecological community.

  3. The particular area within a habitat occupied by an organism.

niche in Science
niche
  (nĭch, nēsh)   
The function or position of a species within an ecological community. A species's niche includes the physical environment to which it has become adapted as well as its role as producer and consumer of food resources. See also competitive exclusion principle.