mutualism

noun

mu·​tu·​al·​ism ˈmyü-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm 

ˈmyü-chə-ˌli-,

ˈmyüch-wə-ˌli-

1

: the doctrine or practice of mutual dependence as the condition of individual and social welfare

2

: mutually beneficial association between different kinds of organisms

mutualist

ˈmyü-chə-wə-list 

ˈmyü-chə-list

ˈmyüch-wə-list

noun

mutualistic

ˌmyü-chə-wə-ˈli-stik 

ˌmyü-chə-ˈli-

ˌmyüch-wə-ˈli-

adjective

Examples of mutualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet mutual aid/mutualism never seems to get as much attention as conflict/competition does. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 Feb. 2025

And mutualism, as symbiotic cooperation is called in biology, is vital to life itself. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 Feb. 2025

In a display of mutualism underwater, the crustaceans in return clean the sponges and even breed inside them. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

In the biological sense, this is about mutualism over predation—creating value for others so your presence becomes non-negotiable. —Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mutualism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Kids Definition

mutualism

noun

mu·​tu·​al·​ism ˈmyüch-(ə-)wə-ˌliz-əm 

ˈmyü-chə-ˌliz-

: association between different kinds of organisms that benefits both

Medical Definition

mutualism

noun

mu·​tu·​al·​ism ˈmyüch-(ə-)wə-ˌliz-əm, ˈmyü-chə-ˌliz- 

: mutually beneficial association between different kinds of organisms

mutualist

-ləst 

noun

mutualistic

ˌmyüch-(ə-)wə-ˈlis-tik, ˌmyü-chə-ˈlis- 

adjective