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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

See Examples For:

eco Eco eco-

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

"I think the reality is that mums would like an eco option but they are so busy and it would have to be priced appropriately."

From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026

Pupils on the eco committee at Roath Park Primary School in Cardiff said they did what they could to encourage their friends and parents to reduce car use to help the environment.

From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2025

The entire boat was a floating eco hazard.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

Twelve UK citizens with the Alpine Eco Trek agency were unaccounted for, the tourism board said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

Four South Africans travelling with the same Alpine Eco Trek agency as the missing British citizens were missing, according to the tourism board.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

Leamington's shop is a shared space on Bedford Street with Leamington Eco Hub.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

I used the mobile app to calibrate the power—25% on Eco mode was just right to start.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

Ernie Eco was wearing my Yankee jacket from Joe Pepitone.

From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt

Jean Bosco Nzeyimana of Rwanda, who is the founder and CEO Of Habona Ltd., a company that uses biomass and waste to develop eco- friendly fuels that are used in rural Africa.

From Time ● Jun. 24, 2016

“Our clients in particular are eco- and health-minded, and the grown look certainly suits a girl who is more au naturel.”

From New York Times ● Jan. 29, 2014

Whatever the airport's main function may be, locals are hoping for a boost to the region's eco- and historical tourism.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2012

Among the biggest bugbears revealed in the consultation document – the draft ppdate guidance on green claims - are general, untestable claims like products being "eco-" or "environmentally friendly".

From The Guardian ● Mar. 23, 2010

A green diet would comprise mostly vegetables and fruits, whole grains, fish and lean meats like chicken--a diet that's eco- and waistline friendly.

From Time Magazine Archive