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
From the M-W Editors
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
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In her own telling, her main focus as a board member has been creating an environment that supports whole-child development.
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Volunteer just one five hour shift a week in a fun retail environment.
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But consumers in the West may hesitate to use self-driving cars that have been trained in a laxer safety environment that is more tolerant of accidents.
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Their next step is to move beyond simply tracking the virus’s position to trying to understand its environment.
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That means p eriods are tied to everything from public health and education to the environment and basic human dignity.
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San Diego start-ups raised a solid amount of venture capital in the second quarter this year compared with a year earlier – signaling a good but not great fundraising environment for local entrepreneurs.
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Rearrange your environment Be sure your house is set up to maximize exploration.
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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.
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
Other Ecology Terms
ENVIRONMENT Defined for English Language Learners
environment
playDefinition of environment for English Language Learners
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: the conditions that surround someone or something : the conditions and influences that affect the growth, health, progress, etc., of someone or something
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the environment : the natural world
ENVIRONMENT Defined for Kids
environment
playDefinition 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
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
Learn More about environment
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for environment Spanish Central: Translation of environment Nglish: Translation of environment for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of environment for Arabic speakers
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