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

Launched in 2019, the festival also taps into the ecological challenges facing the Mediterranean port city of Gabès in Southern Tunisia, linked to an aging chemical factory producing phosphate fertilizers, as a hub for thinking about a different future for the city and its local population. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026

Over time, the ecological niche changed from filter feeders to carnivores, and the second pair of eyes may have evolved into a non-sensory neuroendocrine organ called the pineal gland, responsible for producing melatonin and regulating the sleep cycle. —New Atlas, 16 Feb. 2026

The Ballona wetlands had just been designated a state ecological reserve in 2005, but at the time there was concern the area wouldn’t be managed properly. —Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026

Jeanne tried to picture her ecological granddaughter biking from Ann Arbor. —Allegra Goodman, Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for ecological

• analogical
• astrological
• biological
• christological
• chronological
• cosmological
• cytological
• dialogical
• ethnological
• ethological
• geological
• histological