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
Examples of mutualism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many species of ants have mutualisms with hemipterans.
—
Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
Remora fish do indeed have suckers, but the relationship can by characterized as mutualism or symbiosis.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2023
While mutualism brings benefits to both species, commensalism brings benefits to one species while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023
Our examination of mutualism includes pollination, which involves 170,000 plant and 200,000 animal species and contributes to 35 percent of global food crop production.
—Erika Larsen, National Geographic, 1 Oct. 2020
Even when the ants’ self-interest is less immediate, Frederickson doesn’t expect cheating in this kind of mutualism.
—Kristin Ohlson, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2019
Partnerships between ants and trees are classic examples of mutualism in nature---the trees provide room and board for the ant colonies who protect the trees from pests.
—Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2013
This metabolic mutualism helps trees to survive in all kinds of different environmental conditions and expand their ecological niche.
—Quanta Magazine, 19 Dec. 2022
Power and temptation cause shifts between exploitation and cooperation in a cleaner wrasse mutualism, Proc.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2013
Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
Remora fish do indeed have suckers, but the relationship can by characterized as mutualism or symbiosis.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2023
While mutualism brings benefits to both species, commensalism brings benefits to one species while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023
Our examination of mutualism includes pollination, which involves 170,000 plant and 200,000 animal species and contributes to 35 percent of global food crop production.
—Erika Larsen, National Geographic, 1 Oct. 2020
Even when the ants’ self-interest is less immediate, Frederickson doesn’t expect cheating in this kind of mutualism.
—Kristin Ohlson, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2019
Partnerships between ants and trees are classic examples of mutualism in nature---the trees provide room and board for the ant colonies who protect the trees from pests.
—Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2013
This metabolic mutualism helps trees to survive in all kinds of different environmental conditions and expand their ecological niche.
—Quanta Magazine, 19 Dec. 2022
Power and temptation cause shifts between exploitation and cooperation in a cleaner wrasse mutualism, Proc.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2013
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mutualism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near mutualism
Cite this Entry
“Mutualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutualism. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on mutualism
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mutualism
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mutualism
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