ecological
adjective
eco·log·i·cal
ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 
ˌe-kə-
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
Adelheid FischerIn every community in nature, each type of organism has its own specialized role to play in what is called an ecological niche.—William Threlfall
William ThrelfallRush 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
Al FrankenThe 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.
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.
Peter Franks et al.
ecologically
ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē
adverb
ˌe-kə-
… an ecologically rich river basin …
—Cultural Survival Quarterly
Cultural Survival Quarterly
Sustainable agricultural practices involve making choices that are not only ecologically sound but also economically viable and socially just.
—Karin Springen
Karin Springen
Examples of ecological in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In spite of these dramatic changes, most land species and ecological interactions seem to have survived.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Sharks’ teeth are central to their ecological success, and as apex predators, sharks are important for the overall health of marine ecosystems, Baum said.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
In choosing the color, the company notes that consumers increasingly demand greater ecological responsibility.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The suit said that the center was built without ecological reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act and without public notice or comment and that the government failed to comply with other state and federal statutes, including the Endangered Species Act.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ecological
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Sharks’ teeth are central to their ecological success, and as apex predators, sharks are important for the overall health of marine ecosystems, Baum said.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
In choosing the color, the company notes that consumers increasingly demand greater ecological responsibility.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The suit said that the center was built without ecological reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act and without public notice or comment and that the government failed to comply with other state and federal statutes, including the Endangered Species Act.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ecological
Cite this Entry
“Ecological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecological. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share