environment

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noun 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 survivalb : 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

play \in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-t^əl, -ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-\ adjective

environmentally

play \in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-t^əl-ē, -ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-\ adverb

See environment defined for English-language learners

See environment defined for kids

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 of environment from the Web

All of the above are made from chemicals or materials that are bad for the environment, so follow Forecastle's lead and stay away from the cliche party accessories. 5.

— bailey loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "5 ways to help save the planet at Forecastle Festival", 6 July 2017
Similarly, no one believes IQ is determined solely by genetics; environments matter too.

— john mcwhorter, National Review, "Stop Obsessing Over Race and IQ", 5 July 2017
The citywide arts project uses funds from the city’s Urban Art program, which is designed to promote diversity and stimulate the local cultural environment, according to the program’s website.

— jeff landa, Glendale News-Press, "Arts commission calls on muralists for August utility box art program", 30 June 2017
The original law, the Coastal Zone Act of 1971, was intended to protect the state’s natural environment and its economically important tourism industry from the threat of pollution from operations like steel mills or oil refineries.

— jon hurdle, New York Times, "Putting Delaware’s Protected Coast Back to Work", 27 June 2017
The nuances of working with kids in a higher-needs environment are all too familiar to administrators as well.

— lara n. dotson-renta, The Atlantic, "Inside Connecticut's Education-Funding Turmoil", 25 June 2017
It’s no knock to those who are placed in this type of work environment – the expectations are high and the stress levels are higher.

— danielle tcholakian, Longreads, "Why Quotas Still Don’t Work for Journalism", 24 June 2017
Possible responses, including sanctions and cyberattacks, were discussed in an environment so secretive that meetings held in the Situation Room were locked down to a level of security last seen before the Osama bin Laden raid in 2011.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "How Obama Was Blindsided by the “Crime of the Century”", 23 June 2017
Where some experts saw a dry environment, others saw one that was frequently wet.

— brian switek, Scientific American Blog Network, "The Making of an Allosaurus Graveyard", 21 June 2017

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.

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").

First Known Use of environment

1827

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Ecology Terms

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

ENVIRONMENT Defined for English Language Learners

environment

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noun

Definition of environment for English Language Learners

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

ENVIRONMENT Defined for Kids

environment

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noun en·vi·ron·ment \in-ˈvī-rən-mənt, -ˈvī-ərn-mənt\

Definition of environment for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

environment

play play

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