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
Hidden within the mountains that hem in Santa Marta is a geological and ecological richness that Cartagena just can't compete with.
—Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
To analyze the ecological impacts of the invasive mushrooms, the team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the U.S. Forest Service collected samples of wood shavings from 26 dead elm trees in local Wisconsin forests in summer 2022.
—Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025
Identifying and controlling non-native owls within our local owl population is paramount in maintaining ecological balance.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Ngāi Tahu scholars are playing a key role in guiding the project's cultural and ecological direction.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ecological
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Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
To analyze the ecological impacts of the invasive mushrooms, the team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the U.S. Forest Service collected samples of wood shavings from 26 dead elm trees in local Wisconsin forests in summer 2022.
—Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2025
Identifying and controlling non-native owls within our local owl population is paramount in maintaining ecological balance.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Ngāi Tahu scholars are playing a key role in guiding the project's cultural and ecological direction.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 12 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.
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