arcology

[ ahr-kol-uh-jee ]

nounplural ar·col·o·gies for def. 2.
  1. a concept of architectural design in which an ideal city is contained within one immense vertical structure, thereby reducing wasteful consumption and preserving the natural surroundings: We are to imagine the principle of arcology as an opposite alternative to urban sprawl.

  2. a city contained within one immense vertical structure, considered ideal for reducing wasteful consumption and preserving the natural surroundings: Students from nine states entered their designs for East Coast arcologies.

Origin of arcology

1
First recorded in 1965–70; arc(hitecture) + (ec)ology

Other words from arcology

  • ar·co·log·i·cal [ahr-kuh-loj-i-kuhl] /ˌɑr kəˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/ adjective
  • ar·co·log·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • ar·col·o·gist, noun

Words Nearby arcology

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023