ecological
adjective
eco·log·i·cal
ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 
ˌe-kə-
ˌe-kə-
variants
or less commonly ecologic
ˌē-kə-ˈlä-jik
ˌe-kə-
1
: of or relating to the science of ecology
ecological studies
2
: of or relating to the environments of living things or to the relationships between living things and their environments
The ecological effects of the turf monoculture become even more troubling as large tracts, such as golf courses, displace whole ecosystems in a single stroke.—
Adelheid Fischer
Adelheid FischerIn every community in nature, each type of organism has its own specialized role to play in what is called an ecological niche.—William Threlfall
William ThrelfallRush was scoffing at concerns that the schools of sharks gathering off the coast of Florida might be an indication of some harmful ecological change.—Al Franken
Al FrankenThe chief of a new environmental protection committee, Fyodor Morgun, blamed the "ill-considered drive to build gigantic plants" for a Pandora's box of ecological problems, including air and water pollution.—William R. Doerner et al.
William R. Doerner et al.3
: of or relating to human ecology
Ecological data suggest that in rural areas the availability of family physicians is associated with reduced mortality rate after adjustment for demographic and economic factors.—Peter Franks et al.
Peter Franks et al.
ecologically
ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē
adverb
ˌe-kə-
… an ecologically rich river basin …
—Cultural Survival Quarterly
Cultural Survival Quarterly
Sustainable agricultural practices involve making choices that are not only ecologically sound but also economically viable and socially just.
—Karin Springen
Karin Springen
Examples of ecological in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Researchers need to determine whether results from specific projects can be applied to other ecosystems, as ecological characteristics vary widely.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
Learning about the local history of wildfires, from the ecological impact of beneficial fire to fire disasters and how communities responded, can transform how children and their families think about fires and fire readiness.
—Elizabeth A. Logan, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
An ecological thriller in the style of Virunga (also with Leonardo DiCaprio as an executive producer), The Ivory Game is a heartbreaking and heart-thumping look at the maze of issues that threaten African elephants with mass extinction.
—Tomris Laffly, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
Portobelo, Panama Tucked along Panama’s Caribbean coast, Portobelo is a rare place where cultural heritage and ecological richness sit side by side in harmony.
—Jeaninne Sanz, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ecological
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Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
Learning about the local history of wildfires, from the ecological impact of beneficial fire to fire disasters and how communities responded, can transform how children and their families think about fires and fire readiness.
—Elizabeth A. Logan, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
An ecological thriller in the style of Virunga (also with Leonardo DiCaprio as an executive producer), The Ivory Game is a heartbreaking and heart-thumping look at the maze of issues that threaten African elephants with mass extinction.
—Tomris Laffly, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
Portobelo, Panama Tucked along Panama’s Caribbean coast, Portobelo is a rare place where cultural heritage and ecological richness sit side by side in harmony.
—Jeaninne Sanz, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ecological
Cite this Entry
“Ecological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecological. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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