ecology

noun

ecol·​o·​gy i-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce ecology (audio)
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
4
: environment, climate
the moral ecology
also : an often delicate or intricate system or complex
the ecology of language
ecologist noun

Examples of ecology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Their honey production also invests in the local ecology of the land to support the long-term Pacific Northwest honeybee population. Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 Trump is keenly aware that the ecology of the press has changed radically since Nixon’s day. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2024 Where is that report about the ecology of the Amazon? Steven Levy, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024 One of the past decade’s biggest megatrends in ecology and biology is the growing consensus that sentience — and intelligence — are far more common than had been believed. Saul Elbein, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ecology 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ecology was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near ecology

Cite this Entry

“Ecology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecology. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ecology

noun
ecol·​o·​gy i-ˈkäl-ə-jē How to pronounce ecology (audio)
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 adjective
also ecologic
ecologically adverb

Medical Definition

ecology

noun
ecol·​o·​gy -jē How to pronounce ecology (audio)
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
ecological adjective
also ecologic
ecologically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ecology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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