environment
noun
en·vi·ron·ment
in-ˈvī-rə(n)-mənt 
-ˈvī(-ə)r(n)-
-ˈvī(-ə)r(n)-
plural environments
1
: the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded : the factors and influences that affect the growth, health, progress, functioning, etc., of someone or something
the home/school/office environment
a safe/supportive environment for children
in today's competitive business environment
plants grown in a controlled environment
an environment conducive to learning
Plenty of corner-office occupants want employees to return to the office, the environment in which they built their careers …—
The Economist
The Economist2
the environment
: the natural world : the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic elements that exist in nature
Commonly, the environment is considered to consist of the atmosphere, water (lakes, dams, streams, oceans, etc.), soils, sediments, suspended sediments and biota.—Des W. Connell
Des W. Connell… his devotion to "the environment" is unwavering. He refuses, for instance, to serve commercially bottled water, citing the obscene waste of fuel necessary to ship it from the Continent and the sheer excess of all that glass and plastic.—Joe Dolce
Joe Dolce3
: the position or characteristic position of a linguistic element in a sequence
the phonetic environment of a speech sound
4
: a computer interface from which various tasks can be performed
a programming environment
environmental
in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-tᵊl
adjective
-ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-
environmental quality
environmental groups
environmentally
in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē
adverb
-ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-
an environmentally sensitive wetland
products marked as environmentally friendly
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Meanings of Environment
Descending from the Middle French preposition environ “around,” environment , in its most basic meaning, is “that which surrounds.” When preceded by the and unmodified, it usually refers to the natural world (“please don’t litter if you care about the environment”). In a less physical, more extended sense, it may signify the circumstances and conditions that make up everyday life (“He grew up in a loving environment.”) The word may also be applied in highly specialized ways, denoting, for example, “the position of a linguistic element” (“how g gets pronounced in Italian depends upon its phonetic environment”) or “a computer interface from which various tasks can be performed” (“the app works in varied environments").
Synonyms
Examples of environment in a Sentence
He grew up in a loving environment.
We're trying to create a better business environment.
These animals were raised in a controlled environment.
Many plants are unable to survive in such a harsh environment.
Heredity and environment are both important.
Pollution is bad for the environment.
Recent Examples on the Web
The goal of the Family Place Libraries program is to encourage libraries to be a family-friendly environment and transform them into community centers for literacy, early childhood development, parent education and engagement, family support and community information.
—Barbara D. Hathaway, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Stimulate technological innovation: A regulatory framework that supports an open market environment encourages the development and adoption of innovative building technologies.
—Ali Hoss, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Maintaining close ties with Chinese manufacturers has been one of Chong’s talents, one that has enabled Self-Portrait prices to stay at a competitive range while maintaining a healthy margin in an environment where so many independent brands here struggle.
—Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
But other aspects of your sleep environment, lifestyle habits, or health could also negatively affect your sleep.
—Heather Cruickshank, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for environment 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Barbara D. Hathaway, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Stimulate technological innovation: A regulatory framework that supports an open market environment encourages the development and adoption of innovative building technologies.
—Ali Hoss, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Maintaining close ties with Chinese manufacturers has been one of Chong’s talents, one that has enabled Self-Portrait prices to stay at a competitive range while maintaining a healthy margin in an environment where so many independent brands here struggle.
—Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
But other aspects of your sleep environment, lifestyle habits, or health could also negatively affect your sleep.
—Heather Cruickshank, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for environment
Articles Related to environment
Dictionary Entries Near environment
Cite this Entry
“Environment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/environment. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
environment
noun
en·vi·ron·ment
in-ˈvī-rən-mənt
-ˈvī(-ə)rn-
-ˈvī(-ə)rn-
1
: surroundings
living in a rural environment
2
: the surrounding conditions or forces that influence or modify: as
a
: the whole complex of factors (as soil, climate, and living things) that influence the form and the ability to survive of a plant or animal or ecological community
b
: the social and cultural conditions that influence a person or human community
a safe home environment
Medical Definition
environment
noun
en·vi·ron·ment
in-ˈvī-rən-mənt
-ˈvī(-ə)rn-
-ˈvī(-ə)rn-
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
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