ecology

noun

ecol·​o·​gy i-ˈkä-lə-jē 

e-

plural 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

ecologist

i-ˈkä-lə-jist 

e-

noun

Examples of ecology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Such forests not only offer salve for the soul, but their role in Earth’s ecology is arguably crucial to the health of our planet. —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Mixing between the ecology and history of these islands, this is lovingly reported, and—for once—humans are portrayed as protectors rather than destroyers. —Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 28 Mar. 2024

Put me on the 761 Sylmar bypassing the 405, taking Sepulveda instead, threading underneath the freeway and coming up into the craggy foothills of Bel-Air, the bushy chaparral harking back to the ecology of the land before the city. —Mark Gozonsky, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024

Bees may return to their hives and domestic horses and cows may move to their stables, reports Liz Aguilar, a PhD candidate in biology in the University of Indiana's evolution, ecology, and behavior program. —TIME, 25 Mar. 2024

An Elusive American Artist: Joan Jonas’s maximalist, category-defying work combines video, performance, folklore, sculpture and ecology. —Max Berlinger Stefan Ruiz, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024

At the same time, the ecology of the Northwoods is becoming more tenuous. —Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024

Rethink your relationship with plants in Altadena Get to know the greenery that grows in L.A. on an ecology walk with Paige Emery, an artist and herbalist whose work is informed by critical ecology, ethnobotany and ecopsychology. —Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024

The winemaker maintains a firm eye on ecology to preserve wildlife and the health of the ecosystem. —Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ecology

• deep ecology
• human ecology

Kids Definition

ecology

noun

ecol·​o·​gy i-ˈkäl-ə-jē 

e-

1

: a branch of science concerned with the relationships between living things and their environment

2

: the pattern of relationships between a group of living things and their environment

ecological

ˌē-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl  ˌek-ə- 

adjective

also ecologic

-ˈläj-ik 

ecologically

-ˈläj-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

ecology

noun

ecol·​o·​gy -jē 

plural 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

ecological

ˌē-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl  ˌek-ə- 

adjective

also ecologic

-ik 

ecologically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb