environmentalist

[en-vahy-ruhn-men-tl-ist, -vahy-ern-]

noun

1. an expert on environmental problems.

2. any person who advocates or works to protect the air, water, animals, plants, and other natural resources from pollution or its effects.

3. a person who believes that differences between individuals or groups, especially in moral and intellectual attributes, are predominantly determined by environmental factors, as surroundings, upbringing, or experience (hereditarian ).

environmentalist

/ ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntəlɪst /

noun

1. an adherent of environmentalism

2. a person who is concerned with the maintenance of ecological balance and the conservation of the environment

3. a person concerned with issues that affect the environment, such as pollution

Other Word Forms

• environmentalism noun
• antienvironmentalist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of environmentalist¹

First recorded in 1915–20; environmental ( def. ) + -ist

Example Sentences

It passes the farmhouse where the famed environmentalist was born in 1907.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The King and Prince of Wales, arriving together in the state Bentley, were introduced to guests including environmentalists, scientists, climate change campaigners, diplomats and politicians.

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For some environmentalists, the Chevron refinery fire has underscored why it’s necessary to transition away from fossil fuels altogether.

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“Nature has always been in my bones, in my cells,” Fonda said in a recent interview, describing herself as an environmentalist since her tomboy youth.

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State officials and local environmentalists have repeatedly raised concerns about the pipes’ capacity to run safely, as well as the process the company has taken to try to fast-track their revitalization over the last year.

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Related Words

• ecologist