meta·bi·o·sis | \ ˌmet-ə-bī-ˈō-səs 
\
\ plural metabioses\ -ˈō-sēz \
\Medical Definition of metabiosis
: a mode of life in which one organism so depends on another that it cannot flourish unless the latter precedes and influences the environment favorably
Other Words from metabiosis
metabiotic \ -ˈät-ik \ adjective
\ adjectivemetabiotically \ -i-k(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbComments on metabiosis
What made you want to look up metabiosis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quiz - Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quiz - How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quiz - SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share metabiosis