anticyclone

American  

[an-tee-sahy-klohn, an-tahy-] / ˌæn tiˈsaɪ kloʊn, ˌæn taɪ- /

noun

Meteorology.

1. a circulation of winds around a central region of high atmospheric pressure, clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

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anticyclone British  

/ ˌæntɪˈsaɪkləʊn, ˌæntɪsaɪˈklɒnɪk /

noun

1. Also called: high.  meteorol a body of moving air of higher pressure than the surrounding air, in which the pressure decreases away from the centre. Winds circulate around the centre in a clockwise direction in the N hemisphere and anticlockwise in the S hemisphere

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anticyclone Scientific  

/ ăn′tē-sī′klōn′,ăn′tī- /

1. A large-scale system of winds that spiral outward around a region of high atmospheric pressure. In the Northern Hemisphere the wind in an anticyclone moves clockwise, and in the Southern Hemisphere it moves counterclockwise.

2. Compare cyclone

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Other Word Forms

• anticyclonic adjective

Etymology

Origin of anticyclone

First recorded in 1875–80; anti- + cyclone

Compare meaning

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

• cyclone vs. anticyclone

Example Sentences

High pressure, or an anticyclone, is currently influencing our weather.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2024

The results indicate that, although an anticyclone forms in the first two cases, it differs in terms of shape and dynamic properties from those of the present Great Red Spot.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2024

This week, a different anticyclone, named for Hades’ ferryman, also drifted from North Africa toward Europe’s outer-region nations, consigning Italy to crisis mode.

From Slate • Jul. 20, 2023

Spokesman Rubén del Campo said an anticyclone is pushing a hot mass of air from Africa toward Spain and other Mediterranean countries.

From Washington Times • Jul. 17, 2023

‘We’re in the middle of a large anticyclone and the weather is set fair.’

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd