ecology

noun

ecol·​o·​gy i-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce ecology (audio)
e-
plural ecologies
1
: a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments
2
: the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment
3
4
: environment, climate
the moral ecology
also : an often delicate or intricate system or complex
the ecology of language
ecologist noun

Examples of ecology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Students from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, led by ecology professor Brian Pickles, traveled to Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta for a field course in July 2023, according to a Jan. 23 news release from the university. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025 On Tree Longevity Sam Walters is a journalist covering archaeology, paleontology, ecology, and evolution for Discover, along with an assortment of other topics. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025 The idea would be to participate in the creation of a virtuous ecology of attention, and redistribute what would be generated out of it through the people that produce things. Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025 Big changes at Duck Lake actually started about five years ago, said Ian Schillinger-Brokaw, Denver Parks and Recreation’s associate urban ecology planner. John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for ecology 

Word History

Etymology

German Ökologie, from öko- eco- + -logie -logy

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ecology was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near ecology

Cite this Entry

“Ecology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecology. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

ecology

noun
ecol·​o·​gy i-ˈkäl-ə-jē How to pronounce ecology (audio)
e-
1
: a branch of science concerned with the relationships between living things and their environment
2
: the pattern of relationships between a group of living things and their environment
ecological adjective
also ecologic
ecologically adverb

Medical Definition

ecology

noun
ecol·​o·​gy -jē How to pronounce ecology (audio)
plural ecologies
1
: a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments
2
: the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment
3
ecological adjective
also ecologic
ecologically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ecology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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