# ecosystem

/ˈikoʊˌsɪstəm/ (US) · /ˈiːkəʊsˌɪstəm/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. nature

noun · CEFR B2

all the living things in an area and the way they affect each other and the environment.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. business or technology

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a group of businesses or products that work together and depend on each other.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The forest is a complex ecosystem full of life.
- Introducing a new predator into the lake can completely destroy the local ecosystem by wiping out native fish.
- The company has built a highly profitable digital ecosystem, ensuring that once users buy their smartphone, they are seamlessly locked into purchasing their software and services.

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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.