ecological

adjective

eco·​log·​i·​cal ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl  ˌe-kə- 

variants or less commonly ecologic

ˌē-kə-ˈlä-jik 

ˌe-kə-

1

: of or relating to the science of ecology

ecological studies

2

: of or relating to the environments of living things or to the relationships between living things and their environments

The ecological effects of the turf monoculture become even more troubling as large tracts, such as golf courses, displace whole ecosystems in a single stroke.

—Adelheid Fischer

In every community in nature, each type of organism has its own specialized role to play in what is called an ecological niche.

—William Threlfall

Rush was scoffing at concerns that the schools of sharks gathering off the coast of Florida might be an indication of some harmful ecological change.

—Al Franken

The chief of a new environmental protection committee, Fyodor Morgun, blamed the "ill-considered drive to build gigantic plants" for a Pandora's box of ecological problems, including air and water pollution.

—William R. Doerner et al.

3

: of or relating to human ecology

Ecological data suggest that in rural areas the availability of family physicians is associated with reduced mortality rate after adjustment for demographic and economic factors.

—Peter Franks et al.

ecologically

ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

ˌe-kə-

adverb

… an ecologically rich river basin …

—Cultural Survival Quarterly

Sustainable agricultural practices involve making choices that are not only ecologically sound but also economically viable and socially just.

—Karin Springen

Examples of ecological in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are ecological benefits too – raising insects produces less greenhouse gases and uses less water and space than raising cows, chickens and pigs. —Chris Mueller, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024

Reduces overland or maritime transportation of oils helps prevent soil contamination, air pollution from gas emissions, and ecological seas contamination. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 May 2024

However, most people weren’t following this new ecological math. —Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2024

The famous pair talked a bit more, with Brando telling Goldberg about his island in Fiji and his efforts at ecological preservation. —Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 8 May 2024

Jerry Sweeten, with Ecosystems Connections Institute, said there is a huge movement in the U.S. to remove low-head dams for ecological restoration, and the benefits of removal happen quickly. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 6 May 2024

Hagemann’s plan to develop the land would have disrupted a sensitive ecological corridor and, in the minds of environmentalists, spoiled one of the wildest places in South America. —David Gelles, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2024

Caitlin Cronenberg’s assured directorial debut Humane begins with the planet plagued by ecological disaster. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024

Hummingbirds are important pollinators, contributing to the ecological health and biodiversity of Arizona's ecosystems. —The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 2