environment

noun

in-VY-urn-muhnt/ɪnˈvaɪɚ(n)mənt/in-VY-ruh-muhnt/ɪnˈvaɪɹəmənt/

6 meanings of environment

1
settingnouncountable
The place, people, and conditions around someone or something that affect how they live or work.
Like everything around a plant: the soil, light, and water that help it grow.
A warm, friendly environment helps children learn better.
Plants grow well in the right environment.
UsageOften with a word before it: work environment, home environment.
Note
2
nature as a wholenounusually singular
The natural world of land, water, air, plants, and animals.
Like the big home that all living things share.
We all need to protect the environment for future generations.
Pollution from factories harms the environment.
UsageUsually with the: protect the environment.
Similarnature
3
computer setupnouncountable
All the software and hardware set up on a computer.
Like a kitchen with all the tools and space you need to cook.
This old program only runs in a Windows environment.
Developers test their apps in a safe environment first.
Note
4
outside a systemnouncountable
Everything around a system that affects it or affects what goes into it and comes out of it.
Every system takes things in from its environment and gives things back.
A system reacts to changes in its environment.

5
noun
A list of settings that the operating system keeps for a running program.
6
noun
All the names a function can use and what they point to while a program runs.

Can you tell the meanings of environment apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

It comes from the Middle French word "environnement."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact