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• eco
  eco

  adjective

  ecological or environmental.
• Eco
  Eco

  noun

  Umberto, 1932–2016, Italian novelist and philosopher.
• eco-
  eco-

  a combining form representing ecology in the formation of compounds (ecosystem; ecotype ); also with the more general sense “environment,” “nature,” “natural habitat” (ecocide; ecolaw; ecopolitics ).

eco

¹ American  

[ek-oh, ee-koh] / ˈɛk oʊ, ˈi koʊ /

adjective

1. ecological or environmental.

2. not harmful to the environment.

   an eco resort with no air conditioning.

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noun

1. ecology.

Eco ² American  

[ek-oh, e-kaw] / ˈɛk oʊ, ˈɛ kɔ /

noun

1. Umberto, 1932–2016, Italian novelist and philosopher.

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eco- ³ American  

1. a combining form representing ecology in the formation of compounds (ecosystem; ecotype ); also with the more general sense “environment,” “nature,” “natural habitat” (ecocide; ecolaw; ecopolitics ).

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eco ¹ British  

/ ˈiːkəʊ /

noun

1. 1. short for ecology

   2. ( as modifier )

      an eco group

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Eco ² British  

/ ˈɛkəʊ /

noun

1. Umberto. born 1932, Italian semiologist and writer. His novels include The Name of the Rose (1981) and Foucault's Pendulum (1988)

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eco- ³ British  

combining form

1. denoting ecology or ecological

   ecocide

   ecosphere

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Etymology

Origin of eco

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Dr Stefanie Carter, coastal eco systems scientist at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, described it as a "declining habitat".

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Environmental charity Global Action Plan also worked with the students in the eco club on the project.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

If you can, keeping your EV in a garage, or under a cover, can help to improve its battery performance, as can driving in "eco mode".

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2025

The eco Dome will be recycled and reused elsewhere after the ceremony.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2024

The entire boat was a floating eco hazard.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer