environmentalism

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

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

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

See environmentalism defined for kids

Recent Examples of environmentalism from the Web

Just the FAQs American Airlines has become the latest big company to say it’s axing plastic straws in the name of environmentalism.

— ben mutzabaugh, USA TODAY, "American Airlines is latest to ax plastic straws, stir sticks," 10 July 2018
So how has the current Republican anti-environmentalism come so far so fast?

— christopher sellers, Vox, "How Republicans came to embrace anti-environmentalism," 6 July 2018
Tuning into environmentalism The show definitely has an American vibe to its score, composed by Charlie Fink, former frontman of the popular indie-folk act Noah and the Whale.

— james hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "'The Lorax' arrives in the land of Seuss for musical adaptation's U.S. premiere at Old Globe Theatre," 29 June 2018
They are drawn in by the visual seductions of Instagram, as well as a desire for community inflected by environmentalism.

— penelope green, New York Times, "Young Urban Birders, Open Your Hearts to the Treetops!," 23 June 2018
Francis has long made environmentalism a touchstone issue of his papacy.

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "Pope Francis condemns Trump’s family separation policy," 20 June 2018
What makes environmentalism so deceptive and so dangerous is the fact that its becoming the religion of choice for the global environmental crowd, and it’s especially dangerous because it is not being presented as a religion.

— leah sottile, Longreads, "Bundyville Chapter Four: The Gospel of Bundy," 18 May 2018
Her chapter on the interaction of art and environmentalism highlights this latter approach.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage Museum takes a broad look at northern life in ‘North: Finding Place in Alaska’," 10 June 2018
As a philanthropist who is involved in a wide range of causes including human rights, community building, and environmentalism, Von Furstenberg wanted to help.

— brooke bobb, Vogue, "Diane von Furstenberg Discusses What It Means to Be a Power Woman With Designer, Activist, and DVF Award Winner Ariela Suster," 30 May 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.

First Known Use of environmentalism

1917

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

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