English Reference

Word

symbiosis

Phoneticssym·bio·sis

US/ˌsɪmbaɪˈoʊsəs/

UK/sˌɪmbaɪˈəʊsɪs/

Definition

n. a close relationship between two different living things where both benefit. It is like a partnership in nature where each side helps the other survive.

n. a close and often long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms, typically providing a benefit to both. In ecology, it describes a mutualistic relationship where both species derive a net benefit.

Examples

“The relationship between bees and flowers is a perfect example of symbiosis.”

“The study of coral reefs reveals a complex symbiosis between the polyps and the algae that live within their tissues, a partnership essential for the reef's survival in nutrient-poor waters.”

Examples

simple

“The relationship between bees and flowers is a perfect example of symbiosis.”

complex

“The study of coral reefs reveals a complex symbiosis between the polyps and the algae that live within their tissues, a partnership essential for the reef's survival in nutrient-poor waters.”

Real-World Examples

“This partnership, also called symbiosis, is vital for the sponge's survival in the oceans.”
Phys.org · 4 Sept 2026
“She has spent 25 years using a symbiosis of image and text to examine systems of information, organization and power from borders to botany to genealogy.”
The Guardian · 20 Sept 2026

Etymology

From Ancient Greek συμβίωσις (sumbíōsis, “living together”). By surface analysis, sym- + -biosis.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

symbiosisNounsymbioticAdjective

Domain

Ecology

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference