# ecological

/ɛkəˈɫɑdʒɪkəɫ/ (US) · /ˌɛkəlˈɒdʒɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ecological
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. scientific study of nature

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

relating to the scientific study of how living things interact with their environment.

For teachers: pertaining to the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.

- The oil spill caused an ecological disaster that affected thousands of birds.
- The researchers conducted an ecological survey to determine how the new dam would affect the local fish population and water quality.

Usage: Often used to describe large-scale systems or scientific research.

### 2. environmentally friendly

adjective · CEFR B2

designed to protect the environment or not cause damage to nature.

For teachers: characterised by a lack of harmful effects on the environment; often used as a synonym for 'green' or 'eco-friendly'.

- Many people are switching to ecological cleaning products to reduce water pollution.
- The company has committed to more ecological manufacturing processes to meet the growing demand for sustainable consumer goods.

## Examples

- The oil spill caused an ecological disaster in the bay.
- The government is introducing new laws to protect the ecological balance of the national park.
- Restoring the wetlands is not just a matter of aesthetics but an ecological necessity to prevent further soil erosion and maintain local biodiversity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.