synecology

1 of 2

noun

syn·​ecol·​o·​gy ˌsi-ni-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce synecology (audio)
ˌsi-ne-
: a branch of ecology that deals with the structure, development, and distribution of ecological communities
synecological adjective

synecologic

2 of 2

adjective

syn·​ecologic
variants or synecological
: of, relating to, or involving synecology
synecologically
"+
adverb

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from German Synökologie, from syn- syn- + Ökologie ecology

Note: The term was introduced by Carl Schröter and Oskar von Kirchner in Die Vegetation des Bodensees, 2. Teil (Lindau i.B., 1902), p. 63. Compare autecology.

First Known Use

Noun

1910, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of synecology was in 1906

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Cite this Entry

“Synecology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synecology. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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