ecology

noun

ecol·​o·​gy i-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce ecology (audio)
e-
plural ecologies
1
: a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments
2
: the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment
3
4
: environment, climate
the moral ecology
also : an often delicate or intricate system or complex
the ecology of language
ecologist noun

Examples of ecology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the meantime, the Moore Lab Project aspires to become a hub for urban parrot ecology. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Most of his talk – on global ecology – was already prepared. USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024 After multiple lessons in the local marine ecology, this was a master class in the island’s edible wild ingredients, and the experience felt like a Canadian version of Chez Panisse. Jen Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2024 Nicholas Bayly, director of migratory ecology at SELVA, a non-profit conservation organization that focuses on the neotropical region, is studying critical sites for the species in Central and South America. Paul Smith, Journal Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2024 While the office building height was reduced the ecology and education buildings can now have two stories instead of one. John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Jan. 2024 In Corpus Christi, on the south Texas coast, authorities last month stopped releasing water aimed at maintaining minimum viable ecology in the coastal wetlands, even as oil refineries and chemical plants remain exempt from water use restrictions during drought. Dylan Baddour, WIRED, 27 Jan. 2024 The insects are generally beneficial to local ecology. TIME, 19 Jan. 2024 Grades 9-12 interested in ecology, environmental science and related STEM fields can register for ECO STEM Camp, an overnight camp at the Thomas More University Biology Field Station (8330 Mary Ingles Highway, California, Ky.). Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 18 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ecology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German Ökologie, from öko- eco- + -logie -logy

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ecology was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near ecology

Cite this Entry

“Ecology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecology. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ecology

noun
ecol·​o·​gy i-ˈkäl-ə-jē How to pronounce ecology (audio)
e-
1
: a branch of science concerned with the relationships between living things and their environment
2
: the pattern of relationships between a group of living things and their environment
ecological adjective
also ecologic
ecologically adverb

Medical Definition

ecology

noun
ecol·​o·​gy -jē How to pronounce ecology (audio)
plural ecologies
1
: a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments
2
: the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment
3
ecological adjective
also ecologic
ecologically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ecology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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