ecosystem

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈiːkoʊˌsɪstəm/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, functioning as a unit.; A complex network or interconnected system of interacting components, often used metaphorically in business, technology, or social contexts.; The set of all organisms, resources, and conditions within a particular area that interact and influence one another.; A self-sustaining system in which energy flows and nutrients cycle through living and non-living components.; In technology, a collection of compatible products, platforms, and services designed to work together seamlessly.; In business or economics, a network of organizations, including suppliers, distributors, customers, competitors, and other stakeholders involved in the delivery of a product or service.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: ecosystems

Collocations

ecosystem servicesmarine ecosystemforest ecosystemfragile ecosystemhealthy ecosystemecosystem approachdisrupt the ecosystem

Derivatives

ecosystemicecosystemize

Synonyms

biomehabitatenvironmentecological communitybiosphere

Commonly confused

biome
EN: A biome is a large-scale community defined by climate and vegetation (e.g., tundra, desert); an ecosystem is any interacting system of organisms and their environment at any scale.
habitat
EN: A habitat is the specific place where an organism lives; an ecosystem includes all interactions between organisms and their physical environment.
environment
EN: 'Environment' is a broader, more general term for surroundings; 'ecosystem' specifically emphasizes the interdependent relationships among living and non-living components.

Spelling tips

EN: No common spelling issues. Note that it is one word, not 'eco-system' or 'eco system'.

💬 Examples

  1. The coral reef is one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.

  2. Apple has built a powerful ecosystem of hardware, software, and services that keep users loyal.

  3. Deforestation can cause the collapse of an entire ecosystem.

  4. A pond can function as a complete ecosystem with producers, consumers, and decomposers.

  5. The Android ecosystem includes thousands of apps, devices, and cloud services.

  6. The startup thrived within the vibrant ecosystem of Silicon Valley investors and mentors.