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
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.
Nothing less than the memorial ecology of the country was (potentially) at stake. Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026 Away from the obvious icons lie natural wonders where ecology, history, and culture remain tightly interwoven, and where human presence has often been defined by restraint rather than conquest. Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026 Herpetologists focus on animal behavior and ecology, with many becoming field researchers and educators. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026 There will be an overview of efforts to expand native pollinator habitat in Solana Beach and a presentation by fire-ecology expert Greg Ruben, owner of California’s Own Native Landscape Design. Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 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

Cite this Entry

“Ecology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/ecology. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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

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