climate
[ klahy-mit ]
/ ˈklaɪ mɪt /
noun
the composite or generally prevailing weather conditions of a region, as temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness, and winds, throughout the year, averaged over a series of years.
a region or area characterized by a given climate: to move to a warm climate.
the prevailing attitudes, standards, or environmental conditions of a group, period, or place: a climate of political unrest.
Origin of climate
1350–1400 for earlier senses; 1595–1605
for def 2; Middle English
climat < Latin
clīmat- (stem of
clīma) < Greek
klīmat-, stem of
klī́ma slope, equivalent to
klī- (akin to
klī́nein to slope, lean) +
-ma noun suffix
SYNONYMS FOR climate
OTHER WORDS FROM climate
sub·cli·mate, nounWords nearby climate
Example sentences from the Web for climate
British Dictionary definitions for climate
climate
/ (ˈklaɪmɪt) /
noun
the long-term prevalent weather conditions of an area, determined by latitude, position relative to oceans or continents, altitude, etc
an area having a particular kind of climate
a prevailing trend or current of feeling
the political climate
Derived forms of climate
climatic (klaɪˈmætɪk), climatical or climatal, adjective climatically, adverbWord Origin for climate
C14: from Late Latin
clima, from Greek
klima inclination, region; related to Greek
klinein to lean
usage for climate
Climatic is sometimes wrongly used where
climactic is meant.
Climatic is properly used to talk about things relating to climate;
climactic is used to describe something which forms a climax
Scientific definitions for climate
climate
[ klī′mĭt ]
The general or average weather conditions of a certain region, including temperature, rainfall, and wind. On Earth, climate is most affected by latitude, the tilt of the Earth's axis, the movements of the Earth's wind belts, the difference in temperatures of land and sea, and topography. Human activity, especially relating to actions relating to the depletion of the ozone layer, is also an important factor.
Cultural definitions for climate
climate
A region's usual weather patterns. The climate at any point on Earth is determined by things such as the general movement of the atmosphere, the proximity of the oceans, and the altitude of the location.
notes for climate
The climate also is affected by the
sun, by changes in the
orbit of the Earth, by
plate tectonics, and by human activities, particularly the burning of
fossil fuels, which may lead to a
greenhouse effect.