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Definition of environment noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

environment

noun
 
/ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
 
/ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
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  1. the environment
    [singular] the natural world in which people, animals and plants live
    • The government should do more to protect the environment.
    • to preserve/pollute/harm the environment
    • damage to the natural environment
    • protection/destruction of the marine environment
    • The environment minister expressed concern over pollution levels.
    Collocations The environmentThe environmentEnvironmental damage
    • cause/​contribute to climate change/​global warming
    • produce pollution/​CO2/greenhouse (gas) emissions
    • damage/​destroy the environment/​a marine ecosystem/​the ozone layer/​coral reefs
    • degrade ecosystems/​habitats/​the environment
    • harm the environment/​wildlife/​marine life
    • threaten natural habitats/​coastal ecosystems/​a species with extinction
    • deplete natural resources/​the ozone layer
    • pollute rivers and lakes/​waterways/​the air/​the atmosphere/​the environment/​oceans
    • contaminate groundwater/​the soil/​food/​crops
    • log forests/​rainforests/​trees
    Protecting the environment
    • address/​combat/​tackle the threat/​effects/​impact of climate change
    • fight/​take action on/​reduce/​stop global warming
    • limit/​curb/​control air/​water/​atmospheric/​environmental pollution
    • cut/​reduce pollution/​greenhouse gas emissions
    • offset carbon/​CO2 emissions
    • reduce (the size of) your carbon footprint
    • achieve/​promote sustainable development
    • preserve/​conserve biodiversity/​natural resources
    • protect endangered species/​a coastal ecosystem
    • prevent/​stop soil erosion/​overfishing/​massive deforestation/​damage to ecosystems
    • raise awareness of environmental issues
    • save the planet/​the rainforests/​an endangered species
    Energy and resources
    • conserve/​save/​consume/​waste energy
    • manage/​exploit/​be rich in natural resources
    • dump/​dispose of hazardous/​toxic/​nuclear waste
    • dispose of/​throw away litter/(especially British English) rubbish/(especially North American English) garbage/(North American English) trash/​sewage
    • use/​be made from recycled/​recyclable/​biodegradable material
    • recycle bottles/​packaging/​paper/​plastic/​waste
    • promote/​encourage recycling/​sustainable development/​the use of renewable energy
    • develop/​invest in/​promote renewable energy
    • reduce your dependence/​reliance on fossil fuels
    • get/​obtain/​generate/​produce electricity from wind, solar and wave power/​renewable sources
    • build/​develop a (50-megawatt/​offshore) wind farm
    • install/​be fitted with/​be powered by solar panels
    Extra Examples
    • the Department of the Environment
    • pollution of the environment
    • The label identifies the products that are least harmful to the environment.
    • factors that have a huge impact on the environment
    • industries which damage the environment
    • the amount of carbon in the environment
    Topics The environmenta2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • natural
    • global
    • world
    verb + the environment
    • preserve
    • protect
    • safeguard
    environment + noun
    • agency
    • committee
    • department
    preposition
    • in the environment
    phrases
    • conservation of the environment
    • protection of the environment
    • damage to the environment
    See full entry
  2. [countable] the conditions in which a person, animal or plant lives or operates or in which an activity takes place
    • a pleasant work/learning environment
    • Hospitals have a duty to provide a safe working environment for all staff.
    • They have created an environment in which productivity should flourish.
    • Polar bears are totally adapted to their hostile environment.
    • We operate in a highly competitive business environment.
    • The tests were carried out in a controlled environment.
    Synonyms environmentenvironmentsetting surroundings backgroundThese are all words for the type of place in which somebody/​something exists or is located.environment the conditions in a place that affect the behaviour and development of somebody/​something:
    • An unhappy home environment can affect children’s behaviour.
    • a pleasant working environment
    setting a place or situation of a particular type, in which something happens or exists:
    • The island provided an idyllic setting for the concert.
    surroundings everything that is around or near somebody/​something:
    • The huts blend in perfectly with their surroundings.
    background the things or area behind or around the main objects or people that are in a place or picture:
    • The mountains in the background were capped with snow.
    Patterns
    • in (a/​an) environment/​setting/​surroundings
    • (a/​an) new/​unfamiliar environment/​setting/​surroundings
    • somebody/​something’s immediate environment/​surroundings
    • (a) dramatic setting/​background
    Extra Examples
    • A comfortable working environment will increase productivity.
    • We aim to provide a pleasant working environment.
    • Children learn best in their home environment.
    • Cold-blooded animals depend on the temperature of their immediate environment.
    • In today's competitive business environment, companies focus on minimizing costs.
    • Investors are showing more caution in the current economic environment.
    • the political environment
    • She now had to transfer her design skills to a commercial environment.
    • The cat walked around, exploring its new environment.
    • The hospital architect tries to create an environment conducive to healing.
    • This period provided a favourable environment for the spread of communism.
    • Walkers can unwittingly damage the fragile environment in which the birds live.
    • an environment for economic growth
    • an environment of fear
    • creatures that have adapted to hostile desert environments
    • marine life in its natural environment
    • parents who strive to provide a stimulating environment for their children to grow up in
    • people working in increasingly competitive environments
    • the quality of our natural and built environments
    • For many, school seemed to be a hostile environment.
    • It didn't take long for them to adapt to the new environment.
    • Pets may be unsettled in an unfamiliar environment.
    • The quality of the learning environment is vital to children's education.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • immediate
    • external
    • alien
    verb + environment
    • create
    • foster
    • provide
    preposition
    • in an/​the environment
    • environment for
    • environment of
    phrases
    • an environment conducive to something
    • today’s environment
    See full entry
  3. [countable] (computing) the complete structure (including hardware and software) within which a user, computer or program operates
    • a desktop development environment
    Topics Computersc2
See environment in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee environment in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
sufficiently
adverb
 
 
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