Definitions for economicalˌɛk əˈnɒm ɪ kəl, ˌi kə-

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

ec•o•nom•i•cal^*ˌɛk əˈnɒm ɪ kəl, ˌi kə-(adj.)

avoiding waste or extravagance; involving the efficient use of wealth or resources
an economical use of space.
economic; pertaining to economics.

^* Syn: economical , thrifty , frugal imply careful and efficient use of resources. economical implies prudent planning in the disposition of resources so as to avoid unnecessary waste or expense: It is economical to buy in large quantities. thrifty adds the idea of industry and successful management: a thrifty shopper looking for bargains. frugal suggests saving by denying oneself luxuries: so frugal that he never takes taxis.

Origin of economical:

1570–80

ec`o•nom′i•cal•ly(adv.)

Princeton's WordNet

economic, economical(adj)
using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness
"an economic use of home heating oil"; "a modern economical heating system"; "an economical use of her time"
economic, economical(adj)
of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth
"economic growth"; "aspects of social, political, and economical life"
economical, frugal, scotch, sparing, stinting(adj)
avoiding waste
"an economical meal"; "an economical shopper"; "a frugal farmer"; "a frugal lunch"; "a sparing father and a spending son"; "sparing in their use of heat and light"; "stinting in bestowing gifts"; "thrifty because they remember the great Depression"; "`scotch' is used only informally"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

economical(adjective)ˌɛk əˈnɒm ɪ kəl, ˌi kə-
giving good value for the money spent
cheap, economical recipes; the world's most economical car
economicalˌɛk əˈnɒm ɪ kəl, ˌi kə-
careful not to spend a lot of money
Try to be economical.; a policy that makes sense economically

Wiktionary

economical(Adjective)
Careful with money so as not to spend too much; prudent; thrifty.
economical(Adjective)
Relating to economy in any other sense.

Origin: From economic + -al

Webster Dictionary

Economical(adj)
pertaining to the household; domestic
Economical(adj)
relating to domestic economy, or to the management of household affairs
Economical(adj)
managing with frugality; guarding against waste or unnecessary expense; careful and frugal in management and in expenditure; -- said of character or habits
Economical(adj)
managed with frugality; not marked with waste or extravagance; frugal; -- said of acts; saving; as, an economical use of money or of time
Economical(adj)
relating to the means of living, or the resources and wealth of a country; relating to political economy; as, economic purposes; economical truths
Economical(adj)
regulative; relating to the adaptation of means to an end