parasitism
noun
par·a·sit·ism
ˈper-ə-sə-ˌti-zəm 
-ˌsī-,
ˈpa-rə-
1
: the behavior of a parasite
2
: an intimate association between organisms of two or more kinds
especially
: one in which a parasite obtains benefits from a host which it usually injures
3
Examples of parasitism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Either way, the study adds to the scant overall knowledge of defenses against mimicry and brood parasitism.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2023
Barbe notes that basic natural processes like the nitrogen cycle don’t occur in the game, nor do key relationships between organisms, like parasitism.
—James Dinneen, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2021
Many decades ago, researchers noticed that some ant species employ a more clandestine kind of parasitism.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2023
But for them at least, brood parasitism is clearly not a simple case of grifters and marks.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2011
In Frankopan’s telling, this is that same old story of parasitism writ large, now with planetary fallout.
—Ben Ehrenreich, The New Republic, 10 May 2023
Such a relationship between species is called obligate parasitism, because the parasites cannot survive on their own.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2023
In each generation, prinias with unusual-looking eggs should be better able to avoid brood parasitism.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2012
Many species employ similar tactics, a practice known as brood parasitism or, depending on the details, kleptoparasitism.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2023
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Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2023
Barbe notes that basic natural processes like the nitrogen cycle don’t occur in the game, nor do key relationships between organisms, like parasitism.
—James Dinneen, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2021
Many decades ago, researchers noticed that some ant species employ a more clandestine kind of parasitism.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2023
But for them at least, brood parasitism is clearly not a simple case of grifters and marks.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2011
In Frankopan’s telling, this is that same old story of parasitism writ large, now with planetary fallout.
—Ben Ehrenreich, The New Republic, 10 May 2023
Such a relationship between species is called obligate parasitism, because the parasites cannot survive on their own.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2023
In each generation, prinias with unusual-looking eggs should be better able to avoid brood parasitism.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2012
Many species employ similar tactics, a practice known as brood parasitism or, depending on the details, kleptoparasitism.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parasitism.' 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
circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Dictionary Entries Near parasitism
Cite this Entry
“Parasitism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasitism. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
parasitism
noun
par·a·sit·ism
ˈpar-ə-sə-ˌtiz-əm
-ˌsīt-ˌiz-
: a close association between living things of two or more kinds of which one is a parasite obtaining benefits from the other which is a host and is usually harmed in some way
Medical Definition
parasitism
noun
par·a·sit·ism
ˈpar-ə-sə-ˌtiz-əm
-ˌsīt-ˌiz-
-ˌsīt-ˌiz-
1
: an intimate association between organisms of two or more kinds
especially
: one in which a parasite obtains benefits from a host which it usually injures
2
More from Merriam-Webster on parasitism
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about parasitism
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