arcology

[ ahr-kol-uh-jee ]

noun

, plural ar·col·o·gies

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.

Other Words From

• ar·co·log·i·cal [ahr-k, uh, -, loj, -i-k, uh, l] adjective
• ar·co·log·i·cal·ly adverb
• ar·col·o·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arcology¹

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