environmentalism

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

Examples of environmentalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Antonio, is socialism, identify politics, open borders, and environmentalism a winning formula? — Fox News, "Democrats target SCOTUS candidate Amy Coney Barrett," 6 July 2018 On World Environment Day, Grenier and Gallagher want people to take advantage of the community and collaboration that comes with environmentalism. — Mckenna Moore, Fortune, "Adrian Grenier and Aidan Gallagher Want You to Fight Plastic Pollution for World Environment Day," 5 June 2018 In this Earth Day op-ed, Bethany Bowra of the American Conservation Coalition explains why young conservatives are working on environmental issues and promoting free-market environmentalism. — Bethany Bowra, Teen Vogue, "Young Conservatives Are Defending the Environment, Too," 22 Apr. 2018 In much of the media, environmentalism is too often painted with a solely liberal brush. — Noelle Swan, The Christian Science Monitor, "The Monitor’s collaboration with the Energy Foundation," 29 June 2018 Alexandros Maragos/Getty Images As a young conservative woman in my early 20s, I’m often met with surprise when people learn that environmentalism is a top political concern for me. — Danielle Butcher, Vox, "Young conservatives like me care about climate change. The GOP needs to take notice.," 23 May 2018 This began to change in the 1960s and ‘70s, when environmentalism insisted on a place at the front and center in American politics. — Rachel Riederer, The New Republic, "Can Rivers Be People Too?," 9 May 2018 Where are corporate interests driving sustainable innovation? Disrupting the divisive narrative that places conservatism and environmentalism in opposition. — Noelle Swan, The Christian Science Monitor, "The Monitor’s collaboration with the Energy Foundation," 29 June 2018 Fueling the movement is increased consumer environmentalism and concern about the many straws that end up polluting oceans and waterways. — Zlati Meyer, USA TODAY, "Starbucks to scrap plastic straws globally by 2020," 9 July 2018

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.

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Dictionary Entries near environmentalism

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environmental toxin

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Last Updated

20 Oct 2018

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The first known use of environmentalism was in 1917

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More Definitions for environmentalism

environmentalism

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