symbiosis with mutual advantage to both or all organisms involved
mutualism in American English
(ˈmjuːtʃuːəˌlɪzəm)
noun
1.
a relationship between two species of organisms in which both benefit from the association
2.
the doctrine that the interdependence of social elements is the primary determinant of individual and social relations, esp. the theory that common ownership of property, or collective effort and control governed by sentiments of brotherhood and mutual aid, will be beneficial to both the individual and society
3. Sociology
the force or principle of mutual aid
Derived forms
mutualist
noun
mutualistic
adjective
Word origin
[1860–65; mutual + -ism]
Examples of 'mutualism' in a sentence
mutualism
So why, if mutualism is so successful, isn't everyone doing it?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Political mutualism will not let you take this away.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The ants' relationship with some species of lycaenid butterfly can be more complicated and malevolent than straightforward mutualism.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is an example of 'mutualism', a behaviour only seen elsewhere with humans in collaborations between some dolphins and fishermen.