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 environmental
  • Bob primarily worked in environmental testing laboratories before switching to the fermentation industry.
  • Every episode of what was probably the environmental movement's first television series is now available on the web.
  • Develop additional courses in areas of professional interest eg, environmental chemistry or general environmental science.
  • So let your environmental convictions be your guide.
  • The environmental movement has never been short on noble goals.
  • She also covers immigration, sustainable development, and environmental issues.
  • Southwest had decided to adopt other environmental measures instead.
  • Any ecotourism venture must consider the environmental impact tourists will have on the area.
  • environmental groups are fighting to preserve it from oil and gas development.
  • Many cross disciplinary boundaries, such as combining environmental science with agriculture.
British Dictionary definitions for environmental

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 environmental
adj.

1887, from environment + -al (1). Related: Environmentally (1884).

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.

environmental 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.
environmental 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.