Definition of "world" in 英语

noun

1. (with "the" or a plural possessive pronoun) The subjective human experience, regarded collectively; human collective existence; existence in general; the reality we live in.

   • In retrospect, the process of economic globalization has meant the end of the world as we knew it.
   • There will always be lovers, till the world’s end.

2. (with "the" or a singular possessive pronoun) The subjective human experience, regarded individually.

   • The period immediately following my divorce seemed like the end of my world.
   • He was my world! [said of a slain companion]

3. (metonymic, with "the") A majority of people.

   • Running after God is the only life worth living. Even though the world believes that living for God is boring, we believe that there is nothing more exciting.

4. The Universe.

5. (with "the") The Earth, especially in a geopolitical or cultural context, or as the physical planet.

   • People are dying of starvation all over the world.
   • “As the world turns, we know the bleakness of winter, the promise of spring, the fullness of summer and the harvest of autumn–the cycle of life is complete.” - quotation attributed to Irna Phillips.

6. (with "a") Any of several possible scenarios concerning The Earth, either as the physical planet, or in a geopolitical, cultural or societal context.

   • Who would want to live in a world like this?

7. (countable) (Several) alternative scenarios concerning The Earth, either as the physical planet, or in a geopolitical, cultural or societal context.

8. (countable) A planet, especially one which is inhabited or inhabitable.

   • Our mission is to travel the galaxy and find new worlds.
   • I think many people think of asteroids as kind of little chips of rock. But the places that Dawn is going to really are more like worlds.

9. A very large extent of country.

   • the New World

10. In various mythologies, cosmologies, etc., one of a number of separate realms or regions having different characteristics and occupied by different types of inhabitants.

11. A fictional realm, such as a planet, containing one or multiple societies of beings, especially intelligent ones.

    • the world of Narnia
    • the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
    • a zombie world

12. An individual or group perspective or social setting.

    • In the world of boxing, good diet is all-important.