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

Yet, despite their ecological importance, estuary stingrays face myriad threats. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

With her signature green jacket, mint-colored bike, and unmistakable sense of humor, Marine tirelessly defends our freedom, working toward an ecological transformation. —Annalena Baerbock, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024

These warblers didn’t build their nest in just any woods, but in Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, a 7,800-acre ecological research station that has hosted scientists and students of multiple fields for over 60 years. —Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Sep. 2024

Advertisement For Patricia Meneses, the railway is an ecological tragedy and an impractical boondoggle that sucked resources from more-critical efforts like fighting crime in her native state of Chiapas, which has been consumed by a violent gang war. —Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 2