ecological

adjective

eco·​log·​i·​cal ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce ecological (audio) ˌe-kə- How to pronounce ecological (audio)
variants or less commonly ecologic
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
In every community in nature, each type of organism has its own specialized role to play in what is called an ecological niche.William Threlfall
Rush 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
The 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.
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.
ecologically adverb
… an ecologically rich river basin … Cultural Survival Quarterly
Sustainable agricultural practices involve making choices that are not only ecologically sound but also economically viable and socially just. Karin Springen

Examples of ecological in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Guided by sustainability, Kamara’s firm’s primary focus is progressive community-minded projects with ecological solutions. Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2025 The Rupununi Savannah in the country’s south is another ecological wonder, with jaguars, giant anteaters, and 10-foot-wide lily pads. Becca Blond, AFAR Media, 5 Feb. 2025 Once again, Trump did not appeal to ecological concerns by a false (populist) solution, but rather ensured that these concerns themselves would be exchanged for something beneficial to his own interests. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 The book begins in 2024, in the midst of ecological collapse in California. Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for ecological 

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ecological was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near ecological

Cite this Entry

“Ecological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecological. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

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