mutualism

/ˌmjutʃ(uw)əˈlɪzəm/

When two parties depend on one another — whether in a biological, social, or financial relationship — and both benefit from the alliance, that's mutualism. If you're a student who helps others and in return earns credits for a class, that's one example.

The Latin mūtuus, meaning "reciprocal," gave the basis for the 15th Century Middle French word mutuel. In 1849, French Socialist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon coined the word mutualism to describe his financial theories. The new word was later applied to biological systems of interdependence. Sometimes mutualism is confused with symbiosis, but they are not the same, in part because in mutualism both parties gain from the relationship, while only one side has to benefit to be classified as symbiosis.

Definitions of mutualism

1. noun

   the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other
   synonyms: symbiosis

   types:

   trophobiosis

   a symbiotic relation in which one organism protects the other in return for some kind of food product

   type of:

   interdependence, interdependency, mutuality

   a reciprocal relation between interdependent entities (objects or individuals or groups)