environmental sciencen.
/ᵻnˌvʌɪrə(n)ˌmɛntl ˈsʌɪəns/, /ɛnˌvʌɪrə(n)ˌmɛntl ˈsʌɪəns/, U.S. /ənˌvaɪrə(n)ˌmɛn(t)l ˈsaɪəns/, /ənˌvaɪ(ə)rnˌmɛn(t)l ˈsaɪəns/, /ɛnˌvaɪrə(n)ˌmɛn(t)l ˈsaɪəns/, /ɛnˌvaɪ(ə)rnˌmɛn(t)l ˈsaɪəns/; see also environmental adj. Originally (in the context of education): science that is directly relevant to everyday life and the environments in which it is experienced. Later: the interdisciplinary scientific study of the environment (environment n. 2d) and environmental problems; (also in plural) the set of sciences involved in this.
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1914 Educ. Rev. 495 A course in general environmental science would serve their needs, and should be provided.
1922 Gen. Sci. Q. 174 Environmental science is the starting point for all writers of texts and frames of courses of study.
1964 Jrnl. Terramechanics 1 98 In 1962 the major reorganization of the Army shifted the overall responsibility for trafficability—mobility research from the Corps of Engineers to the Environmental Sciences Branch of the R & D Directorate, Army Material Command.
1971 Sci. & Techn. Soc. U.S. & Canada (N. R. C. (U.S.) & N. R. C. Canada) (ed. 7) 221/1 Institute of Environmental Sciences.
1991 Rutgers Mag. Spring 5/2 The environmental pot of gold for toxic-cleanup companies in the Garden State has made environmental science degrees increasingly fashionable.
2001 Grand Challenges Environmental Sci. (Nat. Res. Council) i. 8 Environmental sciences include branches of social sciences and engineering just as they include branches of biological and physical sciences.
2010 Guardian 9 Jan. (Work section) 2/3 Geomicrobiologist, pieces together bits of geology, environmental science and microbiology to figure how microorganisms might help make new medicine or clean up pollution.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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