dew point
noun
the temperature to which air must be cooled, at a given pressure and water-vapor content, for it to reach saturation; the temperature at which dew begins to form.
Also called
dew-point temperature.
Origin of dew point
First recorded in 1825–35
Words nearby dew point
Example sentences from the Web for dew point
British Dictionary definitions for dew point
dew point
noun
the temperature at which water vapour in the air becomes saturated and water droplets begin to form
Scientific definitions for dew point
dew point
The temperature at which the water vapor contained in a volume of air at a given atmospheric pressure reaches saturation and condenses to form dew. The dew point varies depending on how much water vapor the air contains, with humid air having a higher dew point than dry air. When large droplets of condensation form, they are deposited onto surfaces as dew. When smaller droplets form, they remain suspended in the air as mist or fog. If the dew point is below the freezing temperature of water (0°C), the water vapor turns directly into frost by sublimation.