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ecology

noun
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ecol·​o·​gy | \ i-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce ecology (audio) , 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

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Other Words from ecology

ecologist \ i-​ˈkä-​lə-​jist How to pronounce ecology (audio) , e-​ \ noun

Examples of ecology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Even at the height of the winter, the unique ecology of the Eastern Shore and the Chesapeake Bay shine. — New York Times, "Escape From the City: 9 Winter Outings That Fight Cabin Fever," 18 Dec. 2020 Simple as the proposition sounds, its consequences for genetics, evolution, ecology and even disciplines outside of biology have been sweeping. — Quanta Magazine, "How Neutral Theory Altered Ideas About Biodiversity," 8 Dec. 2020 Atolls are formed from coral reef sediment, but reefs may not continue to produce the same levels of sediment in the future if the ecology of the reef suffers. — Julia Hollingsworth, CNN, "As climate change threatens Pacific Islands, some atolls have been growing. Now scientists have figured out why," 6 Dec. 2020 Quagga mussels, another Baltic interloper, have completely transformed the ecology of Lakes Michigan and Huron over the past 30 years. — Tim Folger, Environment, "This ferocious water flea is mauling the Great Lakes," 2 Dec. 2020 The art communicated the ecology of the plant behind the trance rather than the images seen during the trance. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, "Stoned Age: Native American art confirms hallucinogenic drug use," 24 Nov. 2020 Kerchner, who was a partner in the winery, said her grandmother had a natural curiosity about many things, but developed a deep interest in the ecology of the land. — Jim Buchta, Star Tribune, "Sally Jean Milroy, 87, was led by compassion, curiosity," 31 Oct. 2020 The most popular of these programs have been in the fields of ecology, conservation and astronomy with millions of citizens contributing billions of data points every year by exploring gut microbiomes, counting birds, and searching for new planets. — Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, "Fifty Things We’ve Learned About the Earth Since the First Earth Day," 22 Apr. 2020 The account includes quite a bit of ecology and history as well. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "The Fast Forward 2020 Winter Bookies reading list," 4 Jan. 2021

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.

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First Known Use of ecology

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ecology

German Ökologie, from öko- eco- + -logie -logy

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Time Traveler for ecology

Time Traveler

The first known use of ecology was in 1875

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Statistics for ecology

Last Updated

26 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Ecology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecology. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for ecology

ecology

noun
How to pronounce ecology (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of ecology

: a science that deals with the relationships between groups of living things and their environments
: the relationships between a group of living things and their environment

See the full definition for ecology in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ecology

noun
ecol·​o·​gy | \ i-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce ecology (audio) \

Kids Definition of ecology

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

ecology

noun
ecol·​o·​gy | \ -jē How to pronounce ecology (audio) \
plural ecologies

Medical 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

Other Words from ecology

ecological \ ˌē-​kə-​ˈläj-​i-​kəl How to pronounce ecology (audio) , ˌek-​ə-​ How to pronounce ecology (audio) \ also ecologic \ -​ik How to pronounce ecology (audio) \ adjective
ecologically \ -​i-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce ecology (audio) \ adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on 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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