environment
noun
-ˈvī(-ə)r(n)-
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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
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2024
But the heavy presence of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the National Guard creates a different environment.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for environment 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'environment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Environment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/environment. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.
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environment
noun
-ˈvī(-ə)rn-
Medical Definition
environment
noun
-ˈvī(-ə)rn-
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