phenology
noun
phe·nol·o·gy
fi-ˈnä-lə-jē 
1
: a branch of science dealing with the relations between climate and periodic biological phenomena (such as bird migration or plant flowering)
2
: periodic biological phenomena that are correlated with climatic conditions
Examples of phenology in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But shifts in phenology can have major downstream effects that change ecosystems and, in turn, impact local people.
—
Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 5 Aug. 2022
From leaves changing color to flower buds opening on a daffodil, phenology simply means the study of observable phases in plant and animal life, called phenophases, and anyone can learn to do it.
—Marianne Willburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2023
If birds aren’t your thing, take time to smell the flowers, then share the flower’s location and life cycle stage with Project BudBurst, a nationwide phenology monitoring program with a robust collection of curriculum and other materials for educators and families.
—Jenny Cutraro, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2016
Observing and recording these events is called phenology in academic terms.
—Marianne Willburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2023
The study of phenology, which centers on the seasonal life cycles of plants and animals, shows that peak bloom dates are inching earlier as weather patterns in the district trend warmer.
—Emma Ricketts, WIRED, 1 Apr. 2023
Gardening writing had its phenology, too.
—New York Times, 28 July 2021
Meet the SciStarter team and get involved in citizen science to collect microbes from soil for drug discoveries, track air quality, monitor phenology, map tress, build your own ZomBEE trap and more!
—Citizen Science Salon, Discover Magazine, 21 Apr. 2015
The study of the way species time their behavior with Earth’s cycles is called phenology.
—Jude Coleman, Scientific American, 22 Mar. 2023
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Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 5 Aug. 2022
From leaves changing color to flower buds opening on a daffodil, phenology simply means the study of observable phases in plant and animal life, called phenophases, and anyone can learn to do it.
—Marianne Willburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2023
If birds aren’t your thing, take time to smell the flowers, then share the flower’s location and life cycle stage with Project BudBurst, a nationwide phenology monitoring program with a robust collection of curriculum and other materials for educators and families.
—Jenny Cutraro, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2016
Observing and recording these events is called phenology in academic terms.
—Marianne Willburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2023
The study of phenology, which centers on the seasonal life cycles of plants and animals, shows that peak bloom dates are inching earlier as weather patterns in the district trend warmer.
—Emma Ricketts, WIRED, 1 Apr. 2023
Gardening writing had its phenology, too.
—New York Times, 28 July 2021
Meet the SciStarter team and get involved in citizen science to collect microbes from soil for drug discoveries, track air quality, monitor phenology, map tress, build your own ZomBEE trap and more!
—Citizen Science Salon, Discover Magazine, 21 Apr. 2015
The study of the way species time their behavior with Earth’s cycles is called phenology.
—Jude Coleman, Scientific American, 22 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phenology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
phenomena + -logy
First Known Use
circa 1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near phenology
Cite this Entry
“Phenology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenology. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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