commensalism

[ kuh-men-suh-liz-uh m ]
/ kəˈmɛn səˌlɪz əm /

noun

Ecology. a type of relationship between two species of a plant, animal, fungus, etc., in which one lives with, on, or in another without damage to either.
Sociology. peaceful coexistence among individuals or groups having independent or different values or customs.

Origin of commensalism

Example sentences from the Web for commensalism

Medical definitions for commensalism

commensalism
[ kə-mĕnsə-lĭz′əm ]

n.

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism derives benefit and the other is unharmed.

Scientific definitions for commensalism

commensalism
[ kə-mĕnsə-lĭz′əm ]

A symbiotic relationship between two organisms of different species in which one organism derives benefit while the other is unaffected. Examples of commensalism include epiphytic plants, which depend on a larger host plant for support but which do not derive any nourishment from it, and remoras, which attach themselves to sharks and feed on their leavings without appreciably hindering their hosts. Compare amensalism mutualism parasitism.