environment
part of speech
noun (the environment; an environment, environments)
meaning for a pupil
1) The environment is the natural world — air, water, land, plants and animals — that all living things depend on. tree →
2) An environment is the surroundings and conditions where a person, animal or plant lives or works. tree →
3) In computing, an environment is the set of programs and settings you work in. tree →
sense in the lessons
In science and geography lessons we study how plants and animals are adapted to their environment, and how pollution, litter and climate change harm the environment; recycling, saving energy and planting trees help protect it. At school a «safe learning environment» means a classroom where everyone feels safe. Phrases: «protect the environment», «harm the environment», «a safe environment», «environment-friendly», «natural environment».
examples
- We should protect the environment by recycling. tree →
- Litter is bad for the environment. tree →
- A polar bear's environment is cold and icy. tree →
- Plants need the right environment to grow. tree →
- Our school wants a safe, friendly environment. tree →
- Cars that burn petrol pollute the environment. tree →
- Camels are adapted to a desert environment. tree →
- Saving water is good for the environment. tree →
note
Tricky spelling: there is an n before the m: enviro-N-ment. Adjective: environmental. «The environment» (with «the») usually means nature in general.
In the corpora
- A charity is an organisation that helps people, animals or the environment, paid for by money the public gives.
- The environment is everything around us: air, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Pollution is putting harmful things into the environment.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «environment» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.