parasitism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “parasitism” mean?
A biological relationship where one organism (the parasite) lives on or in another organism (the host), deriving nutrients at the host's expense, often harming it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A biological relationship where one organism (the parasite) lives on or in another organism (the host), deriving nutrients at the host's expense, often harming it.
Figuratively, a persistent, one-sided, exploitative relationship where one party benefits by draining the resources, energy, or goodwill of another without providing adequate return.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling follows respective norms (e.g., 'parasitise' vs. 'parasitize' for the verb).
Connotations
Identically strong negative connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American academic texts due to a larger volume of socio-economic publications using the metaphorical sense.
Grammar
How to Use “parasitism” in a Sentence
[Subject] exhibits parasitism on/upon [Host/Object]The parasitism of [Parasite] on [Host][Action/Behaviour] amounts to parasitismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “parasitism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dodgy scheme was designed to parasitise the welfare system.
- Some fungi parasitise living trees.
American English
- He was accused of trying to parasitize his wealthy relatives.
- The larvae will parasitize the host insect.
adverb
British English
- The plant grows parasitically on the oak tree.
American English
- The fungus lives parasitically within its host.
adjective
British English
- The wasp has a parasitic relationship with the caterpillar.
- She was tired of his parasitic behaviour.
American English
- The tapeworm is a parasitic organism.
- They condemned the parasitic nature of the fees.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticising a corporate culture where one division consistently consumes resources without generating value.
Academic
Describing ecological interactions or critiquing socio-economic theories of dependency.
Everyday
Used pejoratively to describe someone who constantly takes advantage of others' generosity.
Technical
In biology/medicine: classifying host-parasite dynamics, life cycles, and pathological effects.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “parasitism”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “parasitism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “parasitism”
- Using 'parasitism' to describe mutually beneficial relationships (that is symbiosis).
- Misspelling as 'parasitiscm' or 'parasitizm'.
- Confusing 'parasitism' (the practice) with 'parasite' (the actor).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Predation involves killing and consuming the prey immediately. Parasitism involves a longer-term association where the host is harmed but not immediately killed, as the parasite relies on the host's continued survival.
No, it is always negative. Even in biological science, it describes a harmful interaction for the host. Neutral or beneficial relationships are termed 'commensalism' or 'mutualism'.
No, it is a metaphorical extension used in social sciences, politics, and everyday language. In biology, 'parasitism' strictly refers to interspecies relationships.
The primary adjective is 'parasitic'. Example: 'a parasitic infection', 'parasitic tendencies'.
A biological relationship where one organism (the parasite) lives on or in another organism (the host), deriving nutrients at the host's expense, often harming it.
Parasitism is usually formal, academic, scientific in register.
Parasitism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpærəsaɪtɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈperəˌsaɪtɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Live off the backs of others”
- “A parasite on society”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PARA-site (like a campsite) that someone sets up on your SIDE without asking, consuming your supplies. PARASITE + ISM = the practice of being a parasite.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A BODY (a parasite weakens the host body; social parasitism weakens the societal body).
Practice
Quiz
In a socio-economic context, 'parasitism' most closely aligns with which concept?