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

1870–75; earlier oecology < German Ökologie < Greek oîk(os) “house, dwelling” + -o- + German -logie -logy; term introduced by E. H. Haeckel

OTHER WORDS FROM ecology

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH ecology

biosphere ecology ecosystem environment habitat

Words nearby ecology

ecological, ecological efficiency, ecological footprint, ecological niche, ecological succession, ecology, ecomanagement, econ., econazole, econiche, econometrics

Example sentences from the Web for oecology

British Dictionary definitions for oecology (1 of 2)

oecology
/ (iːˈkɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

a less common spelling of ecology

Derived forms of oecology

oecological (ˌɛkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌiː-), adjective oecologically, adverb oecologist, noun

British Dictionary definitions for oecology (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, noun

Word Origin for ecology

C19: from German Ökologie, from Greek oikos house (hence, environment)

Medical definitions for oecology

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 oecology

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 oecology

ecology

The study of living things, their environment, and the relation between the two.