mutualism

noun

mu·​tu·​al·​ism ˈmyü-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm 

ˈmyü-chə-ˌli-, 

ˈmyüch-wə-ˌli-

1

: the doctrine or practice of mutual dependence as the condition of individual and social welfare

2

: mutually beneficial association between different kinds of organisms

mutualist

ˈmyü-chə-wə-list 

ˈmyü-chə-list, 

ˈmyüch-wə-list

noun

mutualistic

ˌmyü-chə-wə-ˈli-stik 

ˌmyü-chə-ˈli-, 

ˌmyüch-wə-ˈli-

adjective

Examples of mutualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, these examples of mutualism are markedly different from those reviewed by Grueter and colleagues. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026

Symbiotic mutualism emerges out of ecological thinking, out of that systems thinking, instead of classification thinking, which is a more flawed model. — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025

Today, attitudes are shifting from human domination of nature toward mutualism—and that means learning to get along with our neighbors. — Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025

Bees get nectar from flowers while acting as pollinators in a process called mutualism. — Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mutualism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

Kids Definition

mutualism

noun

mu·​tu·​al·​ism ˈmyüch-(ə-)wə-ˌliz-əm 

ˈmyü-chə-ˌliz-

: association between different kinds of organisms that benefits both

Medical Definition

mutualism

noun

mu·​tu·​al·​ism ˈmyüch-(ə-)wə-ˌliz-əm, ˈmyü-chə-ˌliz- 

: mutually beneficial association between different kinds of organisms

mutualist

-ləst 

noun

mutualistic

ˌmyüch-(ə-)wə-ˈlis-tik, ˌmyü-chə-ˈlis- 

adjective