environment

[ en-vahy-ruhn-muhnt, -vahy-ern- ]

noun

1. the aggregate of surrounding things, conditions, or influences; surroundings; milieu.

   Synonyms: environs, locale

2. Ecology. the air, water, minerals, organisms, and all other external factors surrounding and affecting a given organism at any time.
3. the social and cultural forces that shape the life of a person or a population.
4. Computers. the hardware or software configuration, or the mode of operation, of a computer system:

   In a time-sharing environment, transactions are processed as they occur.

5. an indoor or outdoor setting characterized by the presence of environmental art that is designed specifically to make use of that site.

environment

/ ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt /

noun

1. external conditions or surroundings, esp those in which people live or work
2. ecology the external surroundings in which a plant or animal lives, which tend to influence its development and behaviour
3. the state of being environed; encirclement
4. computing an operating system, program, or integrated suite of programs that provides all the facilities necessary for a particular application

   a word-processing environment

environment

/ ĕn-vī′rən-mənt /

1. All of the biotic and abiotic factors that act on an organism, population, or ecological community and influence its survival and development. Biotic factors include the organisms themselves, their food, and their interactions. Abiotic factors include such items as sunlight, soil, air, water, climate, and pollution. Organisms respond to changes in their environment by evolutionary adaptations in form and behavior.

Derived Forms

• enˌvironˈmental, adjective
• enˌvironˈmentally, adverb

Other Words From

• en·vi·ron·men·tal [en-vahy-r, uh, n-, muhn, -tl, -vahy-ern-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of environment¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French environnement; environ, -ment

Synonym Study

Environment, milieu, ambiance, setting, surroundings all refer to what makes up the atmosphere or background against which someone or something is seen. Environment may refer either to actual physical surroundings or to social or cultural background factors: an environment of crime and grinding poverty. Milieu, encountered most often in literary writing, refers to intangible aspects of the environment: an exhilarating milieu of artistic ferment and innovation. Ambiance applies to the atmosphere of the surroundings, their mood or tone: an ambiance of ease and elegance. Setting suggests a background that sets something off: a perfect setting for the emerald. Surroundings alludes specifically to the physical aspects of the environment: awoke in strange surroundings; blend in with her surroundings. See ecosystem ( def ).

Example Sentences

Julian Cribb, a British-Australian author who specializes in covering the intersections between science and politics, has published nine books on subjects related to ecocide — the practice in which humans actively destroy their environment.

From Salon

The recycling theme is in tune with the King's long-held interest in sustainability and protecting the environment.

From BBC

As researchers continue to refine these technologies, the potential for creating adaptive nanomachines that can operate in complex environments, such as within the human body, is becoming increasingly feasible.

From Science Daily

In recent years, TNT has started to be replaced with DNAN, but until now very little was known about how this substance impacts the environment and how long it can remain in the soil.

From Science Daily

Our bodies are remarkably skilled at adapting to changing environments.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• climate
• habitat
• mise en scène
• setting
• situation
• status
• surroundings