environmentalism

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noun en·vi·ron·men·tal·ism \in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-tə-ˌli-zəm, -ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-\

Definition of environmentalism

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

Recent Examples of environmentalism from the Web

Pittsburgh, Mayor Bill Peduto said Thursday, is an example of how environmentalism can also mean economic development.

— kim lyons, emily badger and alan blinder, New York Times, "A Revitalized Pittsburgh Says the President Used a Rusty Metaphor", 2 June 2017
For Pandora, that meant focusing largely on environmentalism.

— todd martens, latimes.com, "Meet Disney's philosopher king: the brain behind 'Avatar's' Pandora and Marvel's 'Guardians' ride", 25 May 2017
For George, this is not just science and environmentalism but business, possibly big business.

— brandon keim, WIRED, "Plankton Plantations to Sequester CO2: Plant First, Ask Questions Later", 3 May 2007

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

First Known Use of environmentalism

circa 1922

Medical Dictionary

environmentalism

play

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

Medical Definition of environmentalism

: 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