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
Over the course of millions of years, the team reports, diverse baobab species emerged across Madagascar, driven by ecological competition and environmental conditions—including altitude, sea level and volcanic activity.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2024
The ecological area, which extends from Shroud Cay in the north to Bells Cay in the south, protects mangroves and amazing marine species.
—Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ecological 
Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2024
The ecological area, which extends from Shroud Cay in the north to Bells Cay in the south, protects mangroves and amazing marine species.
—Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ecological
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ecological.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ecological
Cite this Entry
“Ecological.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecological. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
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