ecology

noun

ecol·o·gy i-ˈkä-lə-jē

plural ecologies

: a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments

: the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment

: human ecology

: environment, climate

the moral ecology

also : an often delicate or intricate system or complex

the ecology of language

ecologist

i-ˈkä-lə-jist

noun

Examples of ecology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Fire is part of the Everglades ecology — wildfire season coincides with the end of spring when stormy-weather lightning strikes ignite marshes still dry from winter. — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 During at least two hours of public comments before the vote, many people raised questions about whether the economic value of the mine offset the costs to the region's ecology and to taxpayers. — CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 Expanding stands of willows seem to be providing more shade to streams and changing the ecology of fish, insects and birds, according to Chris Neill and Linda Deegan of the Woodwell Climate Research Center. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 But Seminole’s Special Magistrate Sherry Sutphen chastised Moncrief, a resident of The Springs neighborhood, for likely damaging the river’s ecology behind his home and obstructing its natural flow. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ecology

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ecology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecology. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ecology

noun

ecol·o·gy i-ˈkäl-ə-jē

: a branch of science concerned with the relationships between living things and their environment

: the pattern of relationships between a group of living things and their environment

ecological

ˌē-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl ˌek-ə-

adjective

also ecologic

-ˈläj-ik

ecologically

-ˈläj-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Medical Definition

ecology

noun

ecol·o·gy -jē

plural ecologies

: a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments

: the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment

: human ecology

ecological

ˌē-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl ˌek-ə-

adjective

also ecologic

-ik

ecologically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

ecology

noun

Examples of ecology in a Sentence

Word History

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ecology

noun

Examples of ecology in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing ecology

Rhymes for ecology

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on ecology

More from Merriam-Webster

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