environmentalism

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​men·​tal·​ism in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-tə-ˌli-zəm 

-ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-

1

: a theory that views environment rather than heredity as the important factor in the development and especially the cultural and intellectual development of an individual or group

2

: advocacy of the preservation, restoration, or improvement of the natural environment

especially : the movement to control pollution

Examples of environmentalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Courtesy of Chris Saunders/FX Similar themes run through much of Batmanglij and Marling’s work: environmentalism, cults, mysteries. —Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 13 Nov. 2023

His social-democratic vision came to encompass a variety of causes—nuclear disarmament, environmentalism, and, especially, civil rights. —Dan Kaufman, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2023

Related But environmentalism has been her life’s passion since long before then. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Apr. 2023

Aronofsky’s previous films, particularly Noah and Mother!, have often contained threads of commentary around environmentalism. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2023

What started as a public safety initiative has become a radical oddity, a small arcadia governed by militant environmentalism in the heart of avocado country. —Alexander Sammon, Harper's Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023

During his life, Phoenix was a dedicated activist, championing animal rights and environmentalism. —Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023

Liam’s music acts as a powerful conduit for his dedication to Indigenous rights and environmentalism. —Carlos Mendez, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2023

Francis — who took the name of the patron saint of ecology — stands out among popes in his push to make environmentalism a core part of the faith. —Chico Harlan, Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing environmentalism

• anti-environmentalism

• anti-environmentalism

Kids Definition

environmentalism

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​men·​tal·​ism -ˌvī-rən-ˈment-ᵊl-ˌi-zəm 

-ˌvī(-ə)rn-

: the act or process of preserving, restoring, or improving the natural environment

Medical Definition

environmentalism

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​men·​tal·​ism -ˌvī-rən-ˈment-ᵊl-ˌiz-əm, -ˌvī(-ə)rn- 

: a theory that views environment rather than heredity as the important factor in the development and especially the cultural and intellectual development of an individual or group