SYMBIOSIS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does symbiosis mean? 

• SYMBIOSIS (noun)
  The noun SYMBIOSIS has 1 sense:

1. the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other

  Familiarity information: SYMBIOSIS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SYMBIOSIS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

Synonyms:

mutualism; symbiosis

Hypernyms ("symbiosis" is a kind of...):

interdependence; interdependency; mutuality (a reciprocal relation between interdependent entities (objects or individuals or groups))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "symbiosis"):

trophobiosis (a symbiotic relation in which one organism protects the other in return for some kind of food product)

Derivation:

symbiotic (used of organisms (especially of different species) living together but not necessarily in a relation beneficial to each)

 Context examples 

The researchers found that two of these CLE genes are key modulators of AM fungal symbiosis.

(Plant gene discovery could help reduce fertilizer pollution in waterways, National Science Foundation)