climate

[ klahy-mit ]

noun

1. 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.
2. a region or area characterized by a given climate:

   to move to a warm climate.

3. the prevailing attitudes, standards, or environmental conditions of a group, period, or place:

   a climate of political unrest.

   Synonyms: temper, tone, spirit, atmosphere, mood

climate

/ ˈklaɪmɪt; klaɪˈmætɪk /

noun

1. the long-term prevalent weather conditions of an area, determined by latitude, position relative to oceans or continents, altitude, etc
2. an area having a particular kind of climate
3. a prevailing trend or current of feeling

   the political climate

climate

/ klī′mĭt /

1. 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.

climate

1. 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.

Usage

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

Notes

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 .

Derived Forms

• cliˈmatically, adverb
• climatic, adjective

Other Words From

• sub·climate noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of climate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, for an earlier sense; 1595–1605 climate fordef 2; Middle English climat, from Latin clīmat- (stem of clīma ), from Greek klīmat- , stem of klī́ma “slope,” from klī́(nein) “to bend, lean, slope” + -ma, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of climate¹

C14: from Late Latin clima, from Greek klima inclination, region; related to Greek klinein to lean

Example Sentences

“I think the fiefdom of water supply has to change for everyone to thrive in an era of climate catastrophe,” said Will Harlan, the Southeast director of the Center for Biological Diversity and a resident of Barnardsville, another community not far from Asheville.

From Salon

The fate of that money remains in question, however, because President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to undo much of the Biden administration’s climate work.

From Salon

Exceptional works by noted children’s authors abound here: Teen readers will get lost in novels whose plots take place in settings that include a possible future climate for our planet, an empire under threat, secret locations during World War II, inside the Gothic house of a cult writer, and on the road with a touring musician.

From Los Angeles Times

Stine’s adult novels have brilliantly imagined climate futures.

From Los Angeles Times

Golan is an artist, bestselling author, grassroots activist, organizer and one of the lead designers of The People’s Climate March, which was one of the largest climate mobilizations in history.

From Salon

Related Words

• atmosphere
• environment
• feeling
• mood
• surroundings
• trend