noun
world
Humanity and its collective life and affairs.
The world watches as the rescue operation continues.
Etymology
The historical word concerns the age or existence of people. This sense preserves its collective reference to humanity and human affairs.
More examples
- The news shocked the world.
- She hopes for a more peaceful world.
- The invention changed the world.
Forms
world · worlds
Similar words
- humanity
- Refers to people collectively rather than their physical surroundings.