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.
Also
Archaic,
oe·col·o·gy.
Origin of ecology
OTHER WORDS FROM ecology
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH ecology
biosphere ecology ecosystem environment habitatWords nearby ecology
Example sentences 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 of ecological
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 of ecology
ecologist, nounWord Origin for ecology
C19: from German
Ökologie, from Greek
oikos house (hence, environment)
Medical 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.
Other words from ecology
e′co•log′i•cal (ē′kə-lŏj′ĭ-kəl, ĕk′ə-) null adj. e•col′o•gist n.Scientific 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.
Cultural definitions for ecological
ecology
The study of living things, their environment, and the relation between the two.