mutualism

noun

mu·​tu·​al·​ism ˈmyü-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm 

ˈmyü-chə-ˌli-,

ˈmyüch-wə-ˌli-

1

: the doctrine or practice of mutual dependence as the condition of individual and social welfare

2

: mutually beneficial association between different kinds of organisms

mutualist

ˈmyü-chə-wə-list 

ˈmyü-chə-list

ˈmyüch-wə-list

noun

mutualistic

ˌmyü-chə-wə-ˈli-stik 

ˌmyü-chə-ˈli-

ˌmyüch-wə-ˈli-

adjective

Examples of mutualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All the while, the solar panels stood quietly by, converting the late afternoon sun into clean energy in a display of mutualism, one that might help spare the future for the kids playing soccer nearby. —Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2024

The obligate mutualism between the moth and the Joshua tree is limited to a narrow belt where the trees grow best, as neither can survive at high elevations, but the tree cannot reproduce in low elevations either, according to the University of California, Santa Cruz. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 June 2024

Many species of ants have mutualisms with hemipterans. —Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024

Remora fish do indeed have suckers, but the relationship can by characterized as mutualism or symbiosis. —Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mutualism

noun

mu·​tu·​al·​ism ˈmyüch-(ə-)wə-ˌliz-əm 

ˈmyü-chə-ˌliz-

: association between different kinds of organisms that benefits both

Medical Definition

mutualism

noun

mu·​tu·​al·​ism ˈmyüch-(ə-)wə-ˌliz-əm, ˈmyü-chə-ˌliz- 

: mutually beneficial association between different kinds of organisms

mutualist

-ləst 

noun

mutualistic

ˌmyüch-(ə-)wə-ˈlis-tik, ˌmyü-chə-ˈlis- 

adjective