symbiosis

noun

sym·bi·o·sis | \ ˌsim-bē-ˈō-səs

, -ˌbī-\

plural symbioses\ ˌsim-bē-ˈō-ˌsēz

Definition of symbiosis

1 : the living together in more or less intimate association or close union of two dissimilar organisms (as in parasitism or commensalism) especially : mutualism

2 : a cooperative relationship (as between two persons or groups) the symbiosis … between the resident population and the immigrants— John Geipel

Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about symbiosis

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Did You Know?

Symbiosis was adopted by the scientific community in the late 1800s, though it had appeared in English in a non-scientific sense as far back as 1622. When a biological symbiosis is mutually beneficial, it is termed "mutualism." For example, when the yucca moth lays her eggs in the seed pods of the yucca, she acts as pollinator, and when the larvae hatch they feed on some, but not all, of the seeds. When one organism lives off another at the other’s expense, it’s called "parasitism." Either way, living together is what "symbiosis" is all about; the word came to us, via German and New Latin, from the Greek symbiōsis, meaning "state of living together." "Symbiōsis," in turn, traces to "symbios" ("living together"), a combination of syn-, meaning "with," and bios, meaning "life."

Examples of symbiosis in a Sentence

The bird lives in symbiosis with the hippopotamus. Their professional association was one of symbiosis.

Recent Examples on the Web

All corals live in symbiosis with algae that provide energy to their host through photosynthesis. — Smithsonian, "Amazing Photos Reveal the Hidden Light of Undersea Life," 25 July 2019 In addition to these helpful commonalities, the bobtail squid has a unique quality that lends itself to symbiosis studies. — Quanta Magazine, "New Squid Genome Shines Light on Symbiotic Evolution," 19 Feb. 2019 The fungi grow underground, usually nestled in the deep, fine network of tiny rootlets of oak trees, in a special kind of symbiosis. — Alejandra Borunda, National Geographic, "Europe’s precious truffles are struggling to survive intensifying droughts," 11 July 2019 In recent years, however, this symbiosis in paradisaical Arosa has become burdened by tension and resentment. — Cnaan Liphshiz, sun-sentinel.com, "In the Swiss Alps, locals and haredi Orthodox tourists find ways to get along," 2 July 2019 It is operated through a biofloc system, which relies on the symbiosis of shrimp and bacteria. — Laurel Deppen, The Courier-Journal, "Saltwater shrimp from a landlocked state? How this Kentucky farm is making it happen," 27 June 2019 And that has created a virtual symbiosis where the hard-hard-liners in each of these spheres have ramped up an escalatory and very dangerous cycle. — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, "The Dangers of Trump’s Approach to Iran," 19 June 2019 The symbiosis of people and stories is unique in at least one regard. — Ferris Jabr, Harper's magazine, "The Story of Storytelling," 10 Mar. 2019 But scientists have studied this species as a model of symbiosis for more than three decades. — Quanta Magazine, "New Squid Genome Shines Light on Symbiotic Evolution," 19 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'symbiosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for symbiosis

borrowed from German Symbiose, borrowed from Greek symbíōsis "living together, companionship," from symbiō-, variant stem of symbioûn "to live with, live together" (from sym- sym- + bioûn "to live, pass one's life," derivative of bíos "life") + -sis -sis — more at quick entry 1

Note: As a term in life sciences German Symbiose was promulgated, if not introduced, by the mycologist Heinrich Anton de Bary (1831-88) in Die Erscheinung der Symbiose: Vortrag gehalten auf der Versammlung der Deutscher Naturforscher und Aertze zu Cassel (Strassburg, 1879); a portion of the lecture appeared earlier as "Ueber Symbiose" in Der Naturforscher, 11. Jahrgang, No. 43, October 26, 1878, pp. 400-04. He defines the word briefly as "the living together of differently denominated organisms" ("[das] Zusammenleben ungleichnamiger Organismen," p. 5). De Bary was probably aware of the slightly earlier synonymous term Symbiotismus, introduced by the plant pathologist Albert Bernhard Frank (1839-1900) in "Ueber die biologischen Verhältnisse des Thallen einiger Krustenflechten," Beiträge zur Biologie der Pflanzen, Band 2 (1877), p. 195.

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More Definitions for symbiosis

symbiosis

noun

English Language Learners Definition of symbiosis

biology : the relationship between two different kinds of living things that live together and depend on each other

formal : a relationship between two people or groups that work with and depend on each other

See the full definition for symbiosis in the English Language Learners Dictionary

symbiosis

noun

sym·bi·o·sis | \ ˌsim-ˌbī-ˈō-səs

, -bē-

plural symbioses\ -ˌsēz

Medical Definition of symbiosis

1 : the living together of two dissimilar organisms in more or less intimate association or close union

2 : the intimate living together of two dissimilar organisms in a mutually beneficial relationship especially : mutualism

symbiosis

Definition of symbiosis

Did You Know?

Examples of symbiosis in a Sentence

First Known Use of symbiosis

History and Etymology for symbiosis

English Language Learners Definition of symbiosis

Medical Definition of symbiosis

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