ecosystem

/ˈikoʊˌsɪstəm/
noun
  1. A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
    • A pond is a small ecosystem where fish, plants, and insects all depend on each other.
    • Deforestation can destroy an entire ecosystem, leaving animals without a home.
    • The coral reef is a diverse ecosystem that supports thousands of marine species.
  2. A complex network or system of interconnected elements, such as businesses, technologies, or people, that function together.
    • A healthy business ecosystem requires collaboration between competitors and partners.
    • An app's ecosystem consists of the software, developers, and users that support it.
    • The startup ecosystem in the city includes investors, mentors, and new companies.