air conditioning

American  

[air kuhn-dish-uh-ning] / ˈɛər kənˈdɪʃ ə nɪŋ /

noun

1. a system or process for controlling the temperature, humidity, and sometimes the purity of the air in an interior, as of an office, theater, laboratory, or house, especially one capable of cooling.

2. an air-conditioning system or unit.

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air conditioning British  

noun

1. a system or process for controlling the temperature and sometimes the humidity and purity of the air in a house, etc

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Other Word Forms

• air conditioner noun
• air-conditioning adjective

Etymology

Origin of air conditioning

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

In 2024, he enrolled in a two-year program at a local trade school to become a heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The damage was driven by chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which were widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and aerosol products.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

People in Thailand have also been asked to keep air conditioning at 26-27C and to conserve fuel by carpooling or using public transport.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Adding to the pain, a spike in fuel prices from the Iran war has sent costs for air conditioning and back-up generators shooting up alongside the mercury.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

The frigid air conditioning made his pores shrink.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner