environmentalist

American  

[en-vahy-ruhn-men-tl-ist, -vahy-ern-] / ɛnˌvaɪ rənˈmɛn tl ɪst, -ˌvaɪ ərn- /

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 ).

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environmentalist British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• antienvironmentalist noun
• environmentalism noun

Etymology

Origin of environmentalist

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

Compare meaning

How does environmentalist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• conservationist vs. environmentalist

Example Sentences

His crusade to cut red tape and ease zoning rules has pitted him against environmentalists and Nimby activists while winning praise from developers.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is hard for a committed environmentalist to feel cheerful these days.

From Los Angeles Times

These included anti-war protesters, the Civil Rights Movement, environmentalists, student groups and various racial and ethnic organizations among others.

From Salon

For years, Meg O’Neill clashed with environmentalists as chief executive of one of Australia’s biggest energy companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

And environmentalists worry the rest of the gas in the pipelines will continue to come from fossil fuels, instead of being replaced by renewable electric power.

From BBC

Related Words

• ecologist