environment
n. C / Un. the world around us, including the air, water, and land. It can also mean the specific conditions or place where you live or work.
n. the natural world as a whole or the specific physical and social conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives and operates. In technical contexts, it refers to the specific configuration of hardware and software in which a program runs.
We must work together to protect the environment.
The company is committed to creating a safe and supportive work environment for all its employees.
Legislators are debating new policies designed to balance industrial growth with the urgent need to preserve the local environment from chemical runoff.
From Middle French environnement. Compare French environnement. By surface analysis, environ + -ment.
Usually takes the definite article 'the' when referring to the natural world. When referring to a specific setting or atmosphere, it is often preceded by an adjective.