ambient

UK: /ˈæmbiənt/ US: /ˈæmbiənt/ ,(am′bē ənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

am•bi•ent /ˈæmbiənt/   adj. 

1. present on all sides:
   the ambient air.

See ambi-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

am•bi•ent  (am′bē ənt), adj. 

1. of the surrounding area or environment:
   The tape recorder picked up too many ambient noises. The temperature in the display case was 20° lower than the ambient temperature.
2. completely surrounding;
   encompassing:
   the ambient air.

• Latin ambient- (stem of ambiēns, present participle of ambīre to go around), equivalent. to amb- ambi- + -i- go + -ent- -ent
• Middle French)
• (1590–1600

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ambient / ˈæmbɪənt/ adjective

1. of or relating to the immediate surroundings
2. creating a relaxing atmosphere: ambient music

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin ambiēns going round, from ambīre, from ambi- + īre to go