Word
ecosystem
Phoneticsecosys·tem
US/ˈikoʊˌsɪstəm/
UK/ˈiːkəʊsˌɪstəm/
Definitions
01nature
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science
n. all the living things in an area and the way they affect each other and the environment.
n. a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, functioning as a single unit.
“Pollution in the river can damage the entire local ecosystem and kill the fish.”
“The introduction of invasive species can disrupt the delicate balance of a forest ecosystem, leading to the decline of native flora and fauna.”
Usage
Often used with adjectives like 'fragile', 'local', or 'marine'.
Synonyms
02business or technology
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Computing Academic
n. a group of businesses or products that work together and depend on each other.
n. a complex network or interconnected system of people, organisations, or services that interact like a biological community.
“Many people stay with the same phone brand because they like the app ecosystem.”
“The company has built a vast digital ecosystem where its hardware, software, and payment services are seamlessly integrated to retain customers.”
Usage
Commonly used in business and technology contexts to describe platform interdependency.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ecosystem” in context.
Real-World Examples
“Without vultures, ecosystems would lose a natural defence against the spread of disease.” “In this city, these devices have become a normal part of the transport ecosystem, along with e-bikes.” Etymology
From eco- + system. Coined by English botanist Arthur Tansley in 1935 in a paper titled The Use and Abuse of Vegetational Concepts in the journal Ecology.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/ecosystem