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Definition of ecosystem

ecosystem

/ˈiːkoʊˌsɪstəm/
Plural:ecosystems
•
Adjective:ecosystemic
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ecosystem Lexical Profile

ecosystem Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment functioning together as an ecological unit.

Example

"Pollution from nearby factories has severely damaged the fragile wetland ecosystem."

2

A complex network or interconnected system of organizations, people, technologies, or services operating within a particular industry or sphere.

Example

"Silicon Valley has built a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that attracts startups from around the world."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for ecosystem

• Rhymes for ecosystem

• Nearby Words

economist
economize
economy
ecosystem
ecotax
ecotourism
ecotourist

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1930 by the British botanist Roy Clapham and popularized in 1935 by the ecologist Arthur Tansley, combining the prefix 'eco-' (from Ancient Greek 'oikos', meaning 'house' or 'dwelling place') with 'system'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ecosystem. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ecosystem
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