commensalism

noun

com·​men·​sal·​ism kə-ˈmen(t)-sə-ˌli-zəm 

: a relation between two kinds of organisms in which one obtains food or other benefits from the other without damaging or benefiting it

Examples of commensalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is an example of commensalism, where the lizard benefits from the lion’s presence, but the lion is entirely unaffected. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

This example of commensalism — different types of animals living together — is also exceedingly rare in the trilobite fossil record, El Albani said. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 9 July 2024

While mutualism brings benefits to both species, commensalism brings benefits to one species while the other is neither helped nor harmed. —Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023

Other types of symbiosis include parasitism, commensalism, and amensalism. —Liz Langley, National Geographic, 25 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for commensalism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Kids Definition

commensalism

noun

com·​men·​sal·​ism kə-ˈmen(t)-sə-ˌliz-əm 

: a relation between two kinds of plants or animals in which one obtains a benefit (as food) from the other without damaging or benefiting it

Medical Definition

commensalism

noun

com·​men·​sal·​ism -sə-ˌliz-əm 

: a relation between two kinds of organisms in which one obtains food or other benefits from the other without damaging or benefiting it