ˈkɔɹnɚ ˈkɔːnə(ɹ) nɪt͡ʃ ˈɹiː.sɛs ɹɪˈsɛʃn̩ an enclosure that is set back or indented a small concavity (ecology) the status of an organism within its environment and community (affecting its survival as a species) a position particularly well suited to the person who or organization which occupies it he found his niche in the academic world