environment

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​ment in-ˈvī-rə(n)-mənt  -ˈvī(-ə)r(n)- 

1

: the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded

2

a

: 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 survival

b

: 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

environmental

in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-tᵊl 

-ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-

adjective

environmentally

in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē 

-ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-

adverb

Did you know?

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").

Synonyms

• ambient
• atmosphere
• climate
• clime
• context
• contexture
• environs
• medium
• milieu
• mise-en-scène
• setting
• surround
• surroundings
• terrain

Choose the Right Synonym for environment

background, setting, environment, milieu, mise-en-scène mean the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs.

background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

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.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Light and noise pollution will always be something to contend with when enjoying any movie outdoors, so aim for a more secluded, dark environment to get the most out of your projector. —L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023

Perhaps his most famous paintings from the 1960s feature entire environments built around giant signs — Standard gas stations, Norm’s diners, 20th Century Fox movie studios — all done up in flag-waving red, white and blue. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023

Others, such as designer Jane Wade, are transfixed by the very act of movement, of transporting oneself from their personal safe haven to often banal corporate environments. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2023

Many are still waiting to see what McCord is made of in a truly hostile environment against an opponent capable of matching OSU’s talent. —Nathan Baird, cleveland, 19 Sep. 2023

Environmental justice—the idea that everyone has the right to a clean and healthy environment, no matter their race or class—has been embraced by advocates around the world and is influencing international climate negotiations. —Yessenia Funes, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023

The new Progress Action Fund ad is also aimed at voters in Pennsylvania, where a state Supreme Court race this fall is seen as a preview of how voters in the electoral battleground will react to a post-Roe v. Wade environment. —Henry J. Gomez, NBC News, 19 Sep. 2023

The toxin is produced by different forms of the botulinum bacteria and can grow in low oxygen environments like home canned or jarred goods. —Alan Gionet, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2023

The last time American finance was operating in a high-inflation, high-interest rate environment, like the current economy, was nearly 40 years ago. —Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing environment

• the environment

• the environment

Kids Definition

environment

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​ment in-ˈvī-rən-mənt  -ˈvī(-ə)rn- 

1

: surroundings

living in a rural environment

2

: the surrounding conditions or forces that influence or modify: as

a

: the whole complex of factors (as soil, climate, and living things) that influence the form and the ability to survive of a plant or animal or ecological community

b

: the social and cultural conditions that influence a person or human community

a safe home environment

environmental

-ˌvī-rən-ˈment-ᵊl 

-ˌvī(-ə)rn-

adjective

environmentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Medical Definition

environment

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​ment in-ˈvī-rən-mənt  -ˈvī(-ə)rn- 

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

environmental

-ˌvī-rən-ˈment-ᵊl, -ˌvī(-ə)rn- 

adjective

environmentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb