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
Krystal Hur, CNN, 14 June 2024
On top of that, Brown inherits what Republicans estimate to be a favorable political environment for his run.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 14 June 2024
The microgravity environment can also lead to a loss of bone density and atrophied muscles, prompting long-haul astronauts to adopt specific exercise regimens.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024
But today things have changed because China’s business environment has worsened.
—Charlie Campbell / Taipei, TIME, 13 June 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 27 Jun. 2024.
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environment
noun
-ˈvī(-ə)rn-
Medical Definition
environment
noun
-ˈvī(-ə)rn-
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