ecocide

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The complete destruction of an ecosystem due to human activities, such as due to exploitation of resources, nuclear warfare, or the dumping of harmful chemicals.

Pronunciation

/ˈiːkəʊsaɪd/ En-us-ecocide.oga

Word forms

ecocide ecocides

Etymology

From eco- + -cide. First used in 1969 by the American plant biologist Arthur Galston to refer to the willful destruction of the environment with Agent Orange.

Synonyms

Related words

Derived words

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