commensalism
noun
com·men·sal·ism
kə-ˈmen(t)-sə-ˌli-zəm 
: a relation between two kinds of organisms in which one obtains food or other benefits from the other without damaging or benefiting it
Examples of commensalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This example of commensalism — different types of animals living together — is also exceedingly rare in the trilobite fossil record, El Albani said.
—
Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 9 July 2024
While mutualism brings benefits to both species, commensalism brings benefits to one species while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023
Temple monkeys and health implications of commensalism, Kathmandu, Nepal.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2014
Indirect commensalism promotes persistence of secondary consumer species.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 14 Aug. 2012
In a kind of symbiosis called commensalism, humans tolerated the cats being around because the vermin hunters kept the grain pest-free.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2017
Other types of symbiosis include parasitism, commensalism, and amensalism.
—Liz Langley, National Geographic, 25 Sep. 2020
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Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 9 July 2024
While mutualism brings benefits to both species, commensalism brings benefits to one species while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023
Temple monkeys and health implications of commensalism, Kathmandu, Nepal.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2014
Indirect commensalism promotes persistence of secondary consumer species.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 14 Aug. 2012
In a kind of symbiosis called commensalism, humans tolerated the cats being around because the vermin hunters kept the grain pest-free.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2017
Other types of symbiosis include parasitism, commensalism, and amensalism.
—Liz Langley, National Geographic, 25 Sep. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Commensalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commensalism. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
commensalism
noun
com·men·sal·ism
kə-ˈmen(t)-sə-ˌliz-əm
: a relation between two kinds of plants or animals in which one obtains a benefit (as food) from the other without damaging or benefiting it
Medical Definition
commensalism
noun
com·men·sal·ism
-sə-ˌliz-əm
: a relation between two kinds of organisms in which one obtains food or other benefits from the other without damaging or benefiting it
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