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
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
See all Example Sentences for mutualism 
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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
See all Example Sentences for mutualism
Dictionary Entries Near mutualism
Cite this Entry
“Mutualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutualism. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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