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world

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The world is the planet and all the people on it, or describes the things that are important to a person.

(noun)

An example of the world is planet earth
An example of the world is all of the people who live on Earth.
An example of the world is your family.

See world in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. the planet earth
2. the whole universe
3. any heavenly body thought of hypothetically as inhabited: worlds in space
the earth and its inhabitants
1. the human race; mankind
2. people generally; the public: a discovery that startled the world
1. some part of the earth: the Old World
2. some period of history, its society, etc.: the ancient world
3. any sphere or domain: the animal world
4. any sphere of human activity: the world of music
5. any sphere or state of existence: the world of tomorrow
individual experience, outlook, etc.: a man whose world is narrow
1. secular or social life and interests, as distinguished from the religious or spiritual
2. people primarily concerned with secular affairs and pursuits
a large amount; great deal: the rest did him a world (or worlds) of good
a star or planet

Origin: ME < OE werold, world, humanity, long time, akin to OHG weralt < early WGmc comp. < *wera-, man (see werewolf) + *alth-, an age, mankind (for IE base see old): basic sense “the age of man”

See world in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The earth.
The universe.
The earth with its inhabitants.
The inhabitants of the earth; the human race.
a. Humankind considered as social beings; human society: turned her back on the world.
b. People as a whole; the public: The event amazed the world.
often World A specified part of the earth: the Western World.
A part of the earth and its inhabitants as known at a given period in history: the ancient world.
A realm or domain: the animal world; the world of imagination.
a. A sphere of human activity or interest: the world of sports.
b. A class or group of people with common characteristics or pursuits: the scientific world.
A particular way of life: the world of the homeless.
All that relates to or affects the life of a person: He saw his world collapse about him.
Secular life and its concerns: a man of the world.
a. Human existence; life: brought a child into the world.
b. A state of existence: the next world.
A large amount; much. Often used in the plural: did her a world of good; candidates that are worlds apart on foreign policy.
A celestial body such as a planet: the possibility of life on other worlds.