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

In light of this potential, the implicit mutualism is sobering. —Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025

Today, attitudes are shifting from human domination of nature toward mutualism—and that means learning to get along with our neighbors. —Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025

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

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