environmentalist

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​men·​tal·​ist in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-tə-ləst 

-ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-

plural environmentalists

: an advocate of environmentalism : a person who is focused on the preservation, restoration, and improvement of the natural environment

While dams have been touted in the name of water conservation and clean, renewable energy, environmentalists have long challenged the claim that dams are "green" technology. The deleterious ecological impacts of dams, they insist, have been profound.

—Patrick Joseph

Meanwhile, environmentalists have responded that climate change and habitat loss due to development should require builders to think even more carefully about their projects.

—Emma Cotton et al.

Examples of environmentalist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists, environmentalists and public agencies such as the California Coastal Commission see sand replenishment as the best hope for the region’s shrinking beaches. —Philip Diehl, The Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2024

The power plant has been a target of environmentalists and some locals for years. —Juan Salinas Ii, Austin American-Statesman, 27 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, large-scale solar and wind development continue to divide environmentalists: A $450-million Northern California solar farm is supposed to help the Sacramento area achieve 100% clean power by 2030. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, environmentalists say some avocado growers are cutting down forests to plant avocados. —James Doubek, NPR, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

environmentalist

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​men·​tal·​ist -ˌvī-rən-ˈment-ᵊl-əst 

-ˌvī(-ə)rn-

: a person concerned about environmental quality and especially with controlling pollution

Medical Definition

environmentalist

noun

en·​vi·​ron·​men·​tal·​ist -ᵊl-əst 

1

: an advocate of environmentalism

2

: one concerned about environmental quality especially of the human environment with respect to the control of pollution