environment
Americannoun
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the aggregate of surrounding things, conditions, or influences; surroundings; milieu.
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Ecology. the air, water, minerals, organisms, and all other external factors surrounding and affecting a given organism at any time.
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the social and cultural forces that shape the life of a person or a population.
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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.
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an indoor or outdoor setting characterized by the presence of environmental art that is designed specifically to make use of that site.
noun
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external conditions or surroundings, esp those in which people live or work
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ecology the external surroundings in which a plant or animal lives, which tend to influence its development and behaviour
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the state of being environed; encirclement
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computing an operating system, program, or integrated suite of programs that provides all the facilities necessary for a particular application
a word-processing environment
Related Words
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. See ecosystem ( def. ).
Other Word Forms
- environmental adjective
- environmentally adverb
Etymology
Origin of environment
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French environnement; environ, -ment
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For people who live in urban environments, "it's hugely moving, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".
From BBC
In response to questions, Marriott issued a statement Saturday saying it “is committed to integrity, transparency, and respect for the environments and communities in which hotels under our brand operate.”
Researchers are encouraged by this because the outward-facing form of MurJ is exposed to the surrounding environment, which could make it more accessible to future drugs than a conformation that faces inward.
From Science Daily
Coco 2 can adapt more quickly to new environments and physical obstacles, the company said.
From Los Angeles Times
Also, a 2021 study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research documented hostile environments in economics seminars, with female presenters experiencing more interruptions and encountering more patronizing behavior.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
