Definition of ecology
ecologies
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
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Recent Examples of ecology from the Web
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In addition to feeding the park’s swimming pool, the springs also provide drinking water for thousands of people and support one of the most sensitive ecologies in Texas.
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More so than traffic noise, which might peak at certain hours of the day and then drop off, compressor noise may significantly affect the surrounding ecology when the inhabitants are sensitive to sound.
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The irrepressible Mary Tuomanen's play about Quakers, cultures, and the ecology.
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Winslow Homer took a hankering to the light, Rachel Carson took an interest in the ecology, and Ernest Hemingway took trophy fish from the deep.
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But these devices shouldn't lead to less physical interaction with our pets, says Dr. Marc Bekoff, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and author of several books about animal ethics.
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The rest of the year the marsh is used by students and scientists to study salt marsh ecology and practice field research techniques.
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Power is from the sun, and composting toilets help protect the fragile island ecology.
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A native of Puerto Rico, Lugo was educated in San Juan through his master’s degree, came to the mainland, got a PhD in plant ecology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, then taught botany for 10 years at the University of Florida.
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.
Origin and Etymology of ecology
German Ökologie, from öko- eco- + -logie -logy
First Known Use: 1875
Other Ecology Terms
ECOLOGY Defined for English Language Learners
ecology
playDefinition of ecology for English Language Learners
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: a science that deals with the relationships between groups of living things and their environments
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: the relationships between a group of living things and their environment
ECOLOGY Defined for Kids
ecology
playDefinition of ecology for Students
1 : a branch of science concerned with the relationships between living things and their environment
2 : the pattern of relationships between living things and their environment
Medical Dictionary
ecology
playMedical Definition of ecology
ecologies
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
Learn More about ecology
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Spanish Central: Translation of ecology Nglish: Translation of ecology for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ecology for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ecology
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