B147 words
Environment
Nature, ecology and environmental issues.
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Words in this collection
- environmentĕn-vī<strong>′</strong>rən-məntthe surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.
- naturenounnā<strong>′</strong>chərThe physical world and everything in it that is not made by people, including plants, animals, mountains, oceans, and natural forces.
- pollutionpə-lo̅o̅<strong>′</strong>shənThe presence in or introduction into the environment of harmful or poisonous substances.
- climatenounklī<strong>′</strong>mĭtThe long-term pattern of weather conditions (temperature, rainfall, wind, etc.) typical of a particular region or the Earth as a whole.
- energyĕn<strong>′</strong>ər-jēThe capacity or power to do work, cause change, or produce heat; vitality or intensity of action or expression.
- waterwô<strong>′</strong>tərA clear, colourless, odourless, and tasteless liquid essential for most plant and animal life; chemically H₂O.
- forestfôr<strong>′</strong>ĭstA large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth; a large expanse of woodland.
- oceanō<strong>′</strong>shənThe vast body of salt water that covers most of the Earth's surface.
- wildlifenounˈwaɪldˌlaɪfAnimals, birds, and plants that live and grow in natural conditions, without human intervention.
- speciesspē<strong>′</strong>shēz,spē<strong>′</strong>sēzThe most basic unit of biological classification for organisms, referring to a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
- recycleverbriːˈsaɪkəlTo process used materials so they can be used again to make new products.
- wasteverb-transitivewāstTo use or expend something carelessly, uselessly, or without adequate return; to allow something valuable to be used inefficiently or to become spoiled.
- emissionnounɪˈmɪʃənThe act of sending out or releasing something, especially light, heat, sound, gas or radiation.
- fossilfŏs<strong>′</strong>əlThe preserved remains or impression of a prehistoric organism, typically mineralized in rock.
- carbonnounkär<strong>′</strong>bənA chemical element (symbol C, atomic number 6) that forms the basis of all known life and is present in all organic compounds.
- conservationnounkŏn′sûr-vā<strong>′</strong>shənThe protection of natural resources, habitats, species, or the environment to prevent loss, damage, or wasteful use.
- biodiversitybī′ō-dĭ-vûr<strong>′</strong>sĭ-tēThe variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or in the world.
- ecosystemē<strong>′</strong>kō-sĭs′təmA biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
- habitatnounhăb<strong>′</strong>ĭ-tăt′The natural environment where a plant or animal lives and grows.
- resourcenoun-ˈsɔːsA supply of something (e.g., money, materials, staff) that is available for use or can be drawn upon when needed; an available means to achieve an end.
- atmospherenounăt<strong>′</strong>mə-sfîr′The layer of gases surrounding a planet, especially Earth.
- temperaturetĕm<strong>′</strong>pər-ə-chr′A measure of how hot or cold something is.
- droughtnoundroutA prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.
- floodflŭdAn overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land.
- disasternoundɪˈzɑːstəA sudden, very bad event that causes great damage, destruction, loss, or suffering.
- protectionnounprəˈtɛkʃənThe act of protecting, or the state of being protected, from harm, danger, or loss.
- deforestationdē-fôr′ĭ-stā<strong>′</strong>shənThe deliberate, large-scale clearing of forests by humans.
- erosionĭ-rō<strong>′</strong>zhənThe gradual wearing away or destruction of a material surface by physical forces like water, wind, or ice.
- contaminationnounkənˌtæm əˈneɪ ʃənThe process of making something impure, polluted, or unsafe by introducing a harmful or undesirable substance.
- renewablerĭ-no̅o̅<strong>′</strong>ə-bəlCapable of being renewed or replenished naturally; not permanently depleted when used.
- solarsō<strong>′</strong>lərRelating to or determined by the sun.
- windnounwĭndMoving air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction.
- nuclearadjectiveno̅o̅<strong>′</strong>klē-ərRelating to the nucleus of an atom, or to the energy released when atomic nuclei are split or combined.
- organicôr-găn<strong>′</strong>ĭkRelating to or derived from living matter; involving natural processes without the use of synthetic chemicals.
- pesticidepĕs<strong>′</strong>tĭ-sīd′A substance used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants or to animals.
- chemicalnounkĕm<strong>′</strong>ĭ-kəlA substance produced by or used in a chemical process, having a specific molecular composition.
- toxicadjectivetŏk<strong>′</strong>sĭkpoisonous; containing or being poisonous material
- greenhousenounˈgrinˌhaʊsA building with glass walls and roof used for growing plants in controlled conditions.
- ozoneō<strong>′</strong>zōn′A form of oxygen with three atoms per molecule (O₃), found in the Earth's atmosphere, known for its role in blocking ultraviolet radiation.
- populationpŏp′yə-lā<strong>′</strong>shənAll the inhabitants of a particular town, area, or country; the total number of such inhabitants.
- agriculturenounăg<strong>′</strong>rĭ-kŭl′chərThe science, art, and practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock.
- urbanizationˌɜr bə nəˈzeɪ ʃənThe process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people begin living and working in central areas.
- industrializationnounɪnˌdʌs tri ə ləˈzeɪ ʃənThe process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on the manufacturing of goods, typically involving mechanisation, factory systems, and urban growth.
- consumptionnounkənˈsʌmpʃənThe act or process of using up a resource, product, or substance.
- reductionrĭ-dŭk<strong>′</strong>shənThe act of making something smaller in size, amount, or degree, or the result of this process.
- awarenessnounəˈwɛər nɪsKnowledge or perception of a situation, fact, or subject; consciousness of something.
- campaignnounkæmˈpeɪnAn organised series of actions or activities intended to achieve a particular social, commercial, or political goal.