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

Usually, plant-pollinator interactions are mutualisms. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 8 May 2025

Bees get nectar from flowers while acting as pollinators in a process called mutualism. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 May 2025

When mutualism between two species is threatened, a few possible scenarios emerge, according to a December 2010 article published in Ecology Letters. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

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