symbiotic
adjective
sym·bi·ot·ic
ˌsim-bē-ˈä-tik 
: relating to or marked by symbiosis:
a
: characterized by, living in, or being a close physical association (as in mutualism or commensalism) between two or more dissimilar organisms
The truffle is a … fungus that forms a symbiotic relationship with its host tree.—
Robb Walsh
Robb WalshTermites harbor diverse symbiotic gut microorganisms, the majority of which are as yet uncultivable and their interrelationships unclear.—Yuichi Hongoh et al.
Yuichi Hongoh et al.
b
: characterized by or being a close, cooperative, or interdependent relationship
Today, art advisers are as diverse as the clients they help. They often work alone and form intimate, symbiotic relationships with the people they serve.—Deborah Gimelson
Deborah GimelsonSigal's study … illustrates how reporters' constant need for news and how government officials' need for publicity and favorable coverage for their agencies combine into a symbiotic relationship between Washington reporters and officials.—Charles R. Wright
Charles R. Wright
symbiotically
adverb
Some species of clams … live symbiotically with sulfur-loving bacteria: the bacteria, which live on the clams' gills, get sulfide from the clams, and the clams, in turn, feed on the bacteria.
—Natural History
Natural History
The irony is that the Pentagon and the Soviet Defense Ministry prosper symbiotically.
—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
Examples of symbiotic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The relationship between Spot, in Golden, and Gates was once symbiotic.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Kombucha Kombucha is made by combining tea with sugar, which serves as food for the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY) during fermentation.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2026
There’s a symbiotic relationship between the two worlds of public relations and journalism.
—Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Interestingly, one of Mather’s colleagues at URI, disease ecologist Janelle Couret, has looked at how Lyme bacteria may actually help ticks withstand the heat, a type of symbiotic relationship that she’s seen in insects.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symbiotic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Kombucha Kombucha is made by combining tea with sugar, which serves as food for the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY) during fermentation.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2026
There’s a symbiotic relationship between the two worlds of public relations and journalism.
—Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
Interestingly, one of Mather’s colleagues at URI, disease ecologist Janelle Couret, has looked at how Lyme bacteria may actually help ticks withstand the heat, a type of symbiotic relationship that she’s seen in insects.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symbiotic
Cite this Entry
“Symbiotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbiotic. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
symbiotic
adjective
sym·bi·ot·ic
ˌsim-ˌbī-ˈät-ik
-bē-
-bē-
variants
also symbiotical
: relating to, characterized by, living in, or resulting from a state of symbiosis
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
