1 [C,U] the conditions that affect the behaviour and development of sb/sth; the physical conditions that sb/sth exists in:
a pleasant working / learning environment * An unhappy home environment can affect a child's behaviour. * They have created an environment in which productivity should flourish. * These rocks are common to certain climate environments. * the political / financial environment * tests carried out in a controlled environment
2 (the environment) [sing.] the natural world in which people, animals and plants live:
the Department of the Environment * measures to protect the environment * pollution of the environment * damage to the environment
3 [C] (computing) the complete structure within which a user, computer or program operates:
a desktop development environment
