dew point

American  

noun

1. 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.

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dew point British  

noun

1. the temperature at which water vapour in the air becomes saturated and water droplets begin to form

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dew point Scientific  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of dew point

First recorded in 1825–35

Compare meaning

How does dew-point compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• humidity vs. dew point

Example Sentences

The air temperature and dew point must be below 0°C mixed with dry air and the wind, which must be at least 10mph.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

A higher dew point means the air is moister and thus will feel muggier.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2025

According to AccuWeather’s chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter, their index factors in weather conditions that NWS’s wind chill does not, such as dew point, cloud cover, and precipitation.

From National Geographic • Jan. 19, 2024

Two lines tracking dew point and temperature converged.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2023

“Measures eighty values—temperature, UV index, dew point, you name it.”

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson