ecology

noun

ecol·o·gy | \ i-ˈkä-lə-jē ,

e- \

plural ecologies

Definition of ecology

1 : a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments

2 : the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment

3 : human ecology

4 : environment, climate the moral ecology also : an often delicate or intricate system or complex the ecology of language

Other Words from ecology More Example Sentences Learn More about ecology

Keep scrolling for more

Other words from ecology

ecological \ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl,

ˌe-kə-

\ or less commonly ecologic \ˌē-kə-ˈlä-jik,

ˌe-kə- \ adjective

ecologically \ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē,

ˌe-kə- \ adverb

ecologist \i-ˈkä-lə-jist,

e- \ noun

Examples of ecology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The decision reversed the district’s opinion in 2014 that the permit would harm the ecology of Silver Springs and the Silver River. — Gray Rohrer, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Scott helps donors who pad his campaign accounts, critics say," 13 July 2018 Chinook salmon, such as those that migrate to and from Idaho up the Snake and Columbia rivers, are one of Idaho’s most popular sports fish and integral to the region's economy, ecology and identity. — Kevin Davenport, idahostatesman, "Symphony of the salmon: How scientists are learning by putting fish migration to music," 9 July 2018 The program employs between four to six inmates at any given time, and participants receive education and training on sheep husbandry, bighorn sheep ecology, wildlife management and related topics. — Andy Porter, The Seattle Times, "Domestic sheep program aims to ease problems for bighorns," 26 Apr. 2018 Below are links to three groups that are involved with the environment, research, or both: • IPBio – Biodiversity Research Institute focuses on the biodiversity, ecology, and ethology of the fauna and flora in Brazilian ecosystems. — Tibor Krausz, The Christian Science Monitor, "Why this Thai businessman was named a ‘biodiversity hero’," 4 Apr. 2018 Aquatic species taken up in ballast water in one part of the world and then released elsewhere can become an ecology-disrupting invasive species in their new home. — Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, "Snyder vetoes bill weakening ballast water standards," 29 June 2018 The intricacies of their usually invisible and always magical biochemistry, morphology and ecology never cease to amaze. — Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, "Why this Kentucky plant is the 'Manolo Blahniks' of the garden world," 22 June 2018 One of those big themes includes the questions of how faith and ecology intersect – questions Hawke feels are on many people's minds. — CBS News, "Ethan Hawke: "First Reformed" gives a voice to society's anxiety," 24 May 2018 The experimental town, located in central Arizona in Yavapai County, was designed by architect Paolo Soleri to explore his concept of arcology, a portmanteau of architecture and ecology. — Rachel Hahn, Vogue, "Kelsey Lu Celebrates Her Birthday in Wildly Experimental Ombré," 14 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ecology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.