ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Symbiotic

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˌsɪm.baɪˈɒt.ɪk/ · Part of speech adjective

Quick meaning: Symbiotic is an adjective meaning (ecology) Of, or relating to symbiosis; living together.

Meaning

(ecology) Of, or relating to symbiosis; living together.

More Meanings

  1. (by extension, informal) Of a relationship with mutual benefit between two individuals, organisms, or groups.
  2. (astronomy) A symbiotic star.

Example Sentences

A lichen is a fungus with symbiotic algae among its cells.
While pro-tech influencers like podcast host Lex Fridman have for years formed a symbiotic relationship with tech elites like Elon Musk, some firms have decided this year to cut out the middleman entirely.
[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's] arguably symbiotic relationship with Hamas goes back to his election in 1996, when he upset left-wing incumbent Shimon Peres following a spate of Hamas bombings, which Mr. Netanyahu said proved the peace process could not be trusted.
Orchids rely on fungi to reproduce. Their tiny seeds don't have any on-board nutrients (like beans and apples) and will not germinate until they are infected by a symbiotic fungus which supplies them with food. Known as a protocorm, this tiny orchid-fungus ball grows, turns green and eventually starts to photosynthesise.

Word Forms

Synonyms for symbiotic

Depending on context, synonyms include mutualistic, dependent.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include dependent, symbolic, token, zooxanthellae, reciprocal, mutualistic.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.