ecology
[ ih-kol-uh-jee ]
/ ɪˈkɒl ə dʒi /
noun, plural e·col·o·gies for defs 2, 3.
the branch of biology dealing with the relations and interactions between organisms and their environment, including other organisms.
the set of relationships existing between organisms and their environment: desert ecologies.
the set of relationships existing between any complex system and its surroundings or environment: the ecology and politics of healthcare.
Also called human ecology. the branch of sociology concerned with the spacing and interdependence of people and institutions.
advocacy for the protection of natural resources from pollution or its effects; environmentalism.
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RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
Also Archaic, oe·col·o·gy.
Origin of ecology
Related forms
Can be confused
biosphere ecology ecosystem environment habitatDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for ecological
British Dictionary definitions for ecological (1 of 2)
ecological
/ (ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl) /
adjective
of or relating to ecology
(of a practice, policy, product, etc) tending to benefit or cause minimal damage to the environment
Derived Forms
ecologically, adverbBritish Dictionary definitions for ecological (2 of 2)
ecology
/ (ɪˈkɒlədʒɪ) /
noun
the study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment
the set of relationships of a particular organism with its environment
the study of the relationships between human groups and their physical environment
Also called (for senses 1, 2): bionomics
Derived Forms
ecologist, nounWord Origin for ecology
C19: from German Ökologie, from Greek oikos house (hence, environment)
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
Medicine definitions for ecological
ecology
[ ĭ-kŏl′ə-jē ]
n.
The branch of science that is concerned with the relationships between organisms and their environments.
The relationship between organisms and their environments.
The study of the detrimental effects of modern civilization on the environment, with a view toward their prevention or reversal through conservation.
Related forms
e′co•log′i•cal (ē′kə-lŏj′ĭ-kəl, ĕk′ə-) null adj.e•col′o•gist n.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for ecological
ecology
[ ĭ-kŏl′ə-jē ]
The scientific study of the relationships between living things and their environments. Also called bionomics
A system of such relationships within a particular environment.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Culture definitions for ecological
ecology
The study of living things, their environment, and the relation between the two.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.