environment

noun

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en·vi·ron·ment | \ in-ˈvī-rə(n)-mənt

, -ˈvī(-ə)r(n)-

Definition of environment

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

2a : 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

Other Words from environment Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Meanings of Environment More Example Sentences Learn More about environment

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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

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").

Examples of environment in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web But the chemicals don't break down in the environment and have been linked to a host of diseases. — Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune, "Analysts point to PFAS liability as a ding on 3M stock," 29 Jan. 2021 Both, after all, depend on the body’s ability to recognize and respond to chemicals in the environment, and some immune cells even depend on olfactory receptors to respond to invaders. — New York Times, "What Can Covid-19 Teach Us About the Mysteries of Smell?," 28 Jan. 2021 But shifts in the environment may be altering how even more sensible investors behave, especially with rates on deposits and money-market funds at remarkable lows. — Telis Demos, WSJ, "Small-Investor Surge Shows No Sign of Slowing," 25 Jan. 2021 These compounds may take hundreds, or even thousands, of years to break down in the environment. — Annie Sneed, Scientific American, "Forever Chemicals Are Widespread in U.S. Drinking Water," 22 Jan. 2021 Brockhoeft came of age as an extremist in that environment. — Lauren Rankin, refinery29.com, "How Anti-Abortion Terrorism Fuelled The MAGA Attack On The Capitol," 17 Jan. 2021 The book is insightful into an oppressive government while at the same time sharing very funny anecdotes of the author’s life growing up in this environment. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "The Fast Forward 2020 Winter Bookies reading list," 4 Jan. 2021 And in that environment, does the casino's diminishment of revenue go above 35%? — Arkansas Online, "OPINION | EDITORIAL: Money in, money out with casino revenue," 3 Jan. 2021 Ultimately, the 33-foot whale was euthanized after showing serious signs of distress in an environment more than 100 miles from its preferred habitats in the deep Gulf. — Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, "Biggest environmental stories of 2020 in Alabama," 31 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'environment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Learn More about environment

Dictionary Entries near environment

environmental resistance

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Last Updated

5 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Environment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/environment. Accessed 12 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for environment

environment

noun

English Language Learners Definition of environment

: the conditions that surround someone or something : the conditions and influences that affect the growth, health, progress, etc., of someone or something

: the natural world

See the full definition for environment in the English Language Learners Dictionary

environment

noun

en·vi·ron·ment | \ in-ˈvī-rən-mənt

, -ˈvī-ərn-mənt \

Kids Definition of environment

1 : a person's physical surroundings He lives in a comfortable rural environment.

2 : the surrounding conditions or forces (as soil, climate, and living things) that influence a plant's or animal's characteristics and ability to survive

3 : the social and cultural conditions that affect the life of a person or community a happy home environment

environment

noun

en·vi·ron·ment | \ in-ˈvī-rən-mənt

, -ˈvī(-ə)rn-

Medical Definition of environment

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