environment

[en-vahy-ruh n-muh nt, -vahy-ern-] /ɛnˈvaɪ rən mənt, -ˈvaɪ ərn-/
noun
1.
the aggregate of surrounding things, conditions, or influences; surroundings; milieu.
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 that is characterized by the presence of environmental art that is itself designed to be site-specific.
Origin
1595-1605; environ + -ment
Related forms
environmental, adjective
environmentally, adverb
interenvironmental, adjective
nonenvironmental, adjective
nonenvironmentally, adverb
preenvironmental, adjective
proenvironmental, adjective
Can be confused
biosphere, ecology, ecosystem, environment, habitat.
Synonyms
1. locale, environs. 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.
Examples from the web for environment
  • In this uncertain environment one crucial instrument of unity and stability was the newly introduced, compulsory education system.
  • One way to save fuel and be kinder to the environment is to drive a smaller car.
  • The roundtable discussion emphasized the relationship between democracy and an open research environment.
  • It is interesting to note how this change of environment altered not merely his point of view, but even his literary style.
  • The commitment to the environment is evident all across campus.
  • That plastic can be bad for us and bad for the environment.
  • Capitalism is at its liberating best in a noncapitalist environment.
  • All life-forms live because of their ability to adapt to their environment.
  • In spring, it provides an ideal environment for hardening off annual flower and vegetable seedlings started indoors.
  • Increased temperatures result in more air-conditioning and electricity usage, which is harmful to the environment.
British Dictionary definitions for environment

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
Derived Forms
environmental, adjective
environmentally, adverb
Word Origin and History for environment
n.

c.1600, "state of being environed" (see environ + -ment); sense of "nature, conditions in which a person or thing lives" first recorded 1827 (used by Carlyle to render German Umgebung); specialized ecology sense first recorded 1956.

environment in Medicine

environment en·vi·ron·ment (ěn-vī'rən-mənt, -vī'ərn-)
n.
The totality of circumstances surrounding an organism or group of organisms, especially the combination of external physical conditions that affect and influence the growth, development, and survival of organisms.

en·vi'ron·men'tal (-měn'tl) adj.
environment in Science
environment
  (ěn-vī'rən-mənt)   
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.
environment in Technology


environment variable