1
: a branch of science dealing with the relations between climate and periodic biological phenomena (such as bird migration or plant flowering)
2
: periodic biological phenomena that are correlated with climatic conditions
phenological
adjective
phenologically
adverb
Recent Examples on the Web
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Gardeners, farmers, naturalists and scientists have long relied on phenology to guide decision-making. —Alice Cason, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025 One study found wild bees across species have been changing their phenology, or timing of seasonal activities, and over the past 50 years the emergence date is four times faster. —Courtney McGinnis, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025 Trillium is one of the most beloved ephemerals in the northeastern United States and presents a fascinating example of phenology and interdependence. —Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025 The intrigue: Forecasting peak bloom is notoriously tricky, Marlee Theil, the project manager for the cherry tree phenology project at UW, told Axios. —Christine Clarridge, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for phenology
Etymology
phenomena + -logy
First Known Use
circa 1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of phenology was circa 1884
“Phenology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenology. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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