ecology
noun
ecol·o·gy
i-ˈkä-lə-jē 
e-
plural ecologies
1
: a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments
2
: the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment
3
4
: environment, climate
the moral ecology
also
: an often delicate or intricate system or complex
the ecology of language
Examples of ecology in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For Cyrtodactylus khlonghatensis, the karst terrain appears central to its ecology.
—
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
In 1979, Francis was recognized by Pope John Paul II as the patron saint of ecology, and he is also revered as the patron saint of animals.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026
In another part of the conservatory, the Cloud Forest mimics the cool-moist ecology of the tropical highlands.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Culturally, this feels less like machinery and more like ecology.
—Nathanael Bondu, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ecology
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Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
In 1979, Francis was recognized by Pope John Paul II as the patron saint of ecology, and he is also revered as the patron saint of animals.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026
In another part of the conservatory, the Cloud Forest mimics the cool-moist ecology of the tropical highlands.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Culturally, this feels less like machinery and more like ecology.
—Nathanael Bondu, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ecology
Cite this Entry
“Ecology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecology. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ecology
noun
ecol·o·gy
i-ˈkäl-ə-jē
e-
1
: a branch of science concerned with the relationships between living things and their environment
2
: the pattern of relationships between a group of living things and their environment
Medical Definition
ecology
noun
ecol·o·gy
-jē
plural ecologies
1
: a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments
2
: the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment
3
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