environment

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​ment in-ˈvī-rə(n)-mənt  -ˈvī(-ə)r(n)- 

1

: the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded

2

a

: the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (such as climate, soil, and living things) that act upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form and survival

b

: the aggregate of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or community

3

: the position or characteristic position of a linguistic element in a sequence

4

: a computer interface from which various tasks can be performed

a programming environment

environmental

in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-tᵊl 

-ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-

adjective

environmentally

in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē 

-ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-

adverb

Did you know?

Meanings of Environment

Descending from the Middle French preposition environ “around,” environment , in its most basic meaning, is “that which surrounds.” When preceded by the and unmodified, it usually refers to the natural world (“please don’t litter if you care about the environment”). In a less physical, more extended sense, it may signify the circumstances and conditions that make up everyday life (“He grew up in a loving environment.”) The word may also be applied in highly specialized ways, denoting, for example, “the position of a linguistic element” (“how g gets pronounced in Italian depends upon its phonetic environment”) or “a computer interface from which various tasks can be performed” (“the app works in varied environments").

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for environment

background, setting, environment, milieu, mise-en-scène mean the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs.

background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

Example Sentences

He grew up in a loving environment.

We're trying to create a better business environment.

These animals were raised in a controlled environment.

Many plants are unable to survive in such a harsh environment.

Heredity and environment are both important.

Pollution is bad for the environment.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Claire Hao is a Hearst Reporting Fellow on the climate and environment team who joined The San Francisco Chronicle in 2022. —Claire Hao, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 May 2023

And for more climate and environment news, follow @Sammy_Roth on Twitter. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2023

But Jake Oettinger shined and the Stars feel very comfortable going into that environment. —Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 16 May 2023

Gurley says his portfolio companies, which include HackerOne, Nextdoor, GoodEggs, and Solv, require a lot more of his attention these days in the current environment, and meetings are taking up a lot of his time. —Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 16 May 2023

Located about 40 minutes from Montreal in the marina of the town of Chambly, the Eau Villa offers short-term stays that allow guests to try out tiny living, while enjoying the relaxing environment of the marina and the local town. —Kimberley Mok, Treehugger, 16 May 2023

The amazing, varied and often brutally wild environment has, quite literally, worked its way under my skin over years of tentative, sometimes reckless, but consistent exposure. —Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, 14 May 2023

Two of the biggest challenges for astronauts include their sleep environment and the establishment of a natural sleep cycle. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 12 May 2023

None of these underlying factors can be fixed by some perfect, industry-friendly regulatory environment. —Jacob Silverman, The New Republic, 12 May 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing environment

• the environment

• the environment

Kids Definition

environment

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​ment in-ˈvī-rən-mənt  -ˈvī(-ə)rn- 

1

: surroundings

living in a rural environment

2

: the surrounding conditions or forces that influence or modify: as

a

: the whole complex of factors (as soil, climate, and living things) that influence the form and the ability to survive of a plant or animal or ecological community

b

: the social and cultural conditions that influence a person or human community

a safe home environment

environmental

-ˌvī-rən-ˈment-ᵊl 

-ˌvī(-ə)rn-

adjective

environmentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Medical Definition

environment

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​ment in-ˈvī-rən-mənt  -ˈvī(-ə)rn- 

1

: the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (as climate, soil, and living things) that act upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form and survival

2

: the aggregate of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or community

environmental

-ˌvī-rən-ˈment-ᵊl, -ˌvī(-ə)rn- 

adjective

environmentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb