Dictionary
environment
noun en·vi·ron·ment \in-ˈvī-rə(n)-mənt, -ˈvī(-ə)r(n)-\
: the conditions that surround someone or something : the conditions and influences that affect the growth, health, progress, etc., of someone or something
the environment : the natural world
Full Definition of ENVIRONMENT
1
: the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded
2
a : 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 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>
— en·vi·ron·men·tal \-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-təl, -ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-\ adjective
— en·vi·ron·men·tal·ly \-təl-ē\ adverb
See environment defined for English-language learners
See environment defined for kids
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First Known Use of ENVIRONMENT
1827
Related to ENVIRONMENT
- Synonyms
- ambient, atmosphere, climate, clime, context, contexture, environs, medium, milieu, mise-en-scène, setting, surround, surroundings, terrain
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Other Ecology Terms
Rhymes with ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT Defined for Kids
environment
noun en·vi·ron·ment \in-ˈvī-rən-mənt, -ˈvī-ərn-mənt\
Definition of ENVIRONMENT for Kids
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
environment
noun en·vi·ron·ment \in-ˈvī-rən-mənt, -ˈvī(-ə)rn-\
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
—en·vi·ron·men·tal \-ˌvī-rən-ˈment-əl, -ˌvī(-ə)rn-\ adjective
—en·vi·ron·men·tal·ly \-əl-ē\ adverb
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