ecological

adjective

eco·​log·​i·​cal ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl  ˌe-kə- 

variants or less commonly ecologic

ˌē-kə-ˈlä-jik 

ˌe-kə-

1

: of or relating to the science of ecology

ecological studies

2

: of or relating to the environments of living things or to the relationships between living things and their environments

The ecological effects of the turf monoculture become even more troubling as large tracts, such as golf courses, displace whole ecosystems in a single stroke.

—Adelheid Fischer

In every community in nature, each type of organism has its own specialized role to play in what is called an ecological niche.

—William Threlfall

Rush was scoffing at concerns that the schools of sharks gathering off the coast of Florida might be an indication of some harmful ecological change.

—Al Franken

The chief of a new environmental protection committee, Fyodor Morgun, blamed the "ill-considered drive to build gigantic plants" for a Pandora's box of ecological problems, including air and water pollution.

—William R. Doerner et al.

3

: of or relating to human ecology

Ecological data suggest that in rural areas the availability of family physicians is associated with reduced mortality rate after adjustment for demographic and economic factors.

—Peter Franks et al.

ecologically

ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

ˌe-kə-

adverb

… an ecologically rich river basin …

—Cultural Survival Quarterly

Sustainable agricultural practices involve making choices that are not only ecologically sound but also economically viable and socially just.

—Karin Springen

Examples of ecological in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sustainable Textiles The textile industry has long grappled with its ecological footprint. —Abdo Riani, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

His works created from 2016 to the present explore social and ecological justice through the lens of Salvadoran communities in L.A. —Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023

Foresters are now racing to restore the land with the hope that ghost forests can cut off an ecological ripple that affects hundreds of thousands of people. —Ginger Zee, ABC News, 29 Nov. 2023

Perhaps having a child under any circumstances, given the unimaginably high emotional, financial, ecological, and existential stakes, is an act of outrageous presumption. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023

Despite their ample means, these high flyers don’t pay the full ecological and economic costs of their luxury transit choice. —Chuck Collins, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2023

Preserving kitchen cabinets often makes both financial and ecological sense, but rare is the person who can fully embrace 1990s cupboards. —Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023

Broussard’s proposal would have resulted in one of the biggest land grabs in United States history, along with one of the most disastrous ecological and economic collapses in the world. —Sandra Gutierrez, Popular Science, 25 Oct. 2023

With its design ethos and ecological focus, Manapany represents the next wave of Caribbean hotels. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 2