ecosystem
gb/ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/ us/ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
living things and their environment
All the plants and animals in a place, and the air, water, and land they depend on.
Usage pattern:
an ecosystem; the ecosystem of [place]; a(n) [type] ecosystem
Common mistake:
Learners may use ecosystem when they only mean the physical environment (e.g., climate or scenery) without living things and interactions.
Synonyms
ecological system (More formal/scientific term for the same idea.)
|
habitat (Narrower; focuses on the place a species lives rather than the whole interacting system.)
Collocations
marine ecosystem
|forest ecosystem
|river ecosystem
|fragile ecosystem
|healthy ecosystem
|ecosystem balance
|ecosystem collapse
|protect an ecosystem
|restore an ecosystem
|threaten the ecosystem
Themes
environment
|science
|nature
Examples
- Coral reefs are a delicate ecosystem that can be damaged by warmer oceans.
- The new dam changed the river ecosystem and reduced fish populations.
- Conservation plans aim to restore the ecosystem after the wildfire.
Learner examples
- A lake has its own ecosystem.
- Pollution can harm an ecosystem.
Noun
business
C1
entity
2
connected network in business or tech
A group of companies and products that work together and affect each other.
Usage pattern:
the [industry/platform] ecosystem; an ecosystem of [companies/tools]; within the ecosystem
Common mistake:
Learners may treat ecosystem as meaning only one company; in this sense it usually includes partners, competitors, customers, and related products.
Synonyms
network (More general; does not necessarily imply interdependence around a platform or market.)
|
industry landscape (Focuses on who exists in a market; less on interaction and mutual dependence.)
Collocations
startup ecosystem
|tech ecosystem
|digital ecosystem
|platform ecosystem
|partner ecosystem
|developer ecosystem
|build an ecosystem
|grow the ecosystem
|ecosystem players
|ecosystem strategy
Themes
business
|technology
|economy
Examples
- The company invested in a developer ecosystem to encourage more apps for its platform.
- Small suppliers can struggle when one firm dominates the ecosystem.
- The region is trying to build an ecosystem of mentors, investors, and founders.
Learner examples
- This app is part of the Apple ecosystem.
- The city wants a strong startup ecosystem.
Noun
C1
abstract
3
interconnected system in a field
All the connected parts of a system, like media or education, that influence each other.
Usage pattern:
the ecosystem of [field]; a(n) ecosystem of [people/organizations]; an ecosystem around [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse ecosystem for any group; it works best when the parts are clearly interconnected and mutually influential.
Synonyms
system (Very general; does not emphasize a web of interacting parts as strongly.)
|
community (Emphasizes people and belonging more than interdependence among many elements.)
Collocations
media ecosystem
|education ecosystem
|research ecosystem
|policy ecosystem
|local ecosystem
|support ecosystem
|a thriving ecosystem
|a complex ecosystem
|an ecosystem of ideas
|the wider ecosystem
Themes
society
|media
|culture
Examples
- Independent newsletters have become part of a changing media ecosystem.
- A strong research ecosystem needs funding, talent, and institutions that work together.
- The new law could reshape the ecosystem around online advertising.
Learner examples
- Social media changed the news ecosystem.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ecosystem
IPA
GB/ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/
US/ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/
Syllables & stress
eco - sys - tem (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (eco)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ecosystem
- Plural: ecosystems
Word family
Forms
ecosystems
noun
Core family
Related words
Expressions
digital ecosystem
1/dˈɪd͡ʒɪtəl ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/
fixed phrase
business
connected digital products and users
A group of digital products and services that work together.
Examples
- Banks are adapting to a digital ecosystem that includes fintech apps and online payments.
- The company wants to create a digital ecosystem linking phones, watches, and home devices.
- Stronger privacy rules can change the digital ecosystem for advertisers.
ecosystem approach
1/ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm əpɹˈoʊt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
formal
managing by whole-system thinking
A method that looks at the whole natural system when making decisions.
Examples
- The agency adopted an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.
- An ecosystem approach can reduce unintended harm to wildlife and water quality.
- The plan uses an ecosystem approach instead of focusing on a single species.
ecosystem services
1/ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm sˈɚvɪsɪz/
fixed phrase
technical
benefits nature provides people
Useful things nature does for people, like cleaning water or helping crops grow.
Examples
- Wetlands provide ecosystem services by filtering water and reducing floods.
- The report estimated the economic value of ecosystem services in the region.
- Planting trees can improve ecosystem services such as air quality and soil stability.
forest ecosystem
1/fˈɔɹɪst ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/
fixed phrase
ecosystem in a forest
All the living things in a forest and the environment they share.
Examples
- Wildfires can transform a forest ecosystem for decades.
- Logging policies aim to protect the forest ecosystem and wildlife corridors.
- Invasive insects have spread through the forest ecosystem.
innovation ecosystem
1/ˌɪnəvˈeɪʃən ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/
fixed phrase
business
network that produces innovation
The people and institutions that help new ideas become real products.
Examples
- Universities play a key role in the region’s innovation ecosystem.
- Tax incentives were introduced to strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
- A healthy innovation ecosystem links research labs with industry and investors.
marine ecosystem
1/mɚˈin ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/
fixed phrase
ecosystem in oceans and seas
The plants and animals in the sea and the place they live.
Examples
- Plastic waste can seriously damage the marine ecosystem.
- Overfishing disrupts the marine ecosystem and reduces biodiversity.
- Scientists monitor temperature changes across the marine ecosystem.
platform ecosystem
1/plˈætfˌɔɹm ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/
fixed phrase
business
network built around a platform
All the apps, partners, and users connected to a platform.
Examples
- Third-party apps are crucial to the platform ecosystem.
- Policy changes can affect creators across the platform ecosystem.
- The new tools were designed to attract developers to the platform ecosystem.
startup ecosystem
1/stˈɑɹtˌʌp ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/
fixed phrase
business
local network supporting startups
The people and organizations that help new companies grow.
Examples
- Berlin has a growing startup ecosystem with many early-stage investors.
- The government launched grants to strengthen the local startup ecosystem.
- A good startup ecosystem makes it easier to find mentors and talent.
startup ecosystem
1/stˈɑɹtˌʌp ˈikoʊsˌɪstəm/
fixed phrase
business
network supporting new companies
all the people and organizations that support startups in an area or industry
Examples
- Tel Aviv has a strong startup ecosystem for cybersecurity companies.
- Universities and investors are important parts of the local startup ecosystem.
- The report compares startup ecosystems in several European cities.