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

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.

Other Word Forms

• environmental adjective
• environmentally adverb

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

"We work in an environment where we work online 24/7 and we police in that way, we have to be able to respond accordingly."

Read more on BBC

WHO says countries must also create healthier environments to promote good health and prevent obesity.

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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said investigations have found that the release of radiation “had negligible effects on the physical health of individuals or the environment.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Black Friday sales were higher than a year ago, both online and in stores as consumers continue to navigate an uncertain economic environment.

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They are persistent pollutants, meaning they don't degrade easily and instead build up in the environment.

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Related Words

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