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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.


noun

  1. ecology.

Eco 2 American  
[ek-oh, e-kaw] / ˈɛk oʊ, ˈɛ kɔ /

noun

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


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 ).


eco 1 British  
/ ˈiːkəʊ /

noun

    1. short for ecology

    2. ( as modifier )

      an eco group

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

eco- 3 British  

combining form

  1. denoting ecology or ecological

    ecocide

    ecosphere

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of eco

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I have no intention of clipping anyone's wings. I am not some sort of flight-shaming eco warrior. I love flying – I always have," the transport secretary said.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2025

So why have these eco apartments in Peterborough been left with service charges "spiralling out of control"?

From BBC • May 11, 2024

The study, published in the International Journal of Social Welfare, is part of Kang's larger body of work in climate justice and eco social work.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2024

"We wanted to create a meeting point between eco travellers and accommodation owners investing in a better future," adds Ms Ombellini.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2023

The entire boat was a floating eco hazard.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer