ambient

¹am·bi·ent

adjective \ˈam-bē-ənt\

Definition of AMBIENT

: existing or present on all sides : encompassing

Examples of AMBIENT

1. Keep the chemicals at an ambient temperature of 70°F.
2. the bright ambient light of the room
3. People shopped as ambient music played in the background.

Origin of AMBIENT

Latin ambient-, ambiens, present participle of ambire to go around, from ambi- + ire to go — more at issue

First Known Use: 1596

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

²ambient

noun

Definition of AMBIENT

1

: an encompassing atmosphere : environment

2

: music intended to serve as an unobtrusive accompaniment to other activities (as in a public place) and characterized especially by quiet and repetitive instrumental melodies

Examples of AMBIENT

1. <observing how the survival techniques of primates vary with the ambient>

First Known Use of AMBIENT

1624

Related to AMBIENT

Synonyms

environment, atmosphere, climate, clime, context, contexture, environs, medium, milieu, mise-en-scène, setting, surround, surroundings, terrain

Related Words

location, place, position, space; backdrop, background; element; situation, status; geography, habitat; microenvironment

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue

am·bi·ent

adjective \ˈam-bē-ənt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of AMBIENT

: surrounding on all sides <the ambient environment> <ambient air pollution>