ecological

adjective

eco·​log·​i·​cal ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce ecological (audio) ˌe-kə- How to pronounce ecological (audio)
variants or less commonly ecologic
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 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
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David is globally recognised as a leading ecological thinker, teacher, writer and speaker promoting permaculture as a realistic, attractive and powerful alternative to dependent consumerism. Catherine Habgood september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025 The ecological way is the complete opposite. Jared Weiss, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Researchers used high-resolution aerial images to produce a detailed map of the area, offering a resource for future ecological, archaeological, and cultural studies. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025 With more than 16 years of presence in the plateau region, Chando has developed ecological cultivation models in partnership with local governments and universities, turning fragile ecosystems into laboratories for sustainable sourcing. Li Jun, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ecological

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ecological was in 1879

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Cite this Entry

“Ecological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecological. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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