meteorology

American  

[mee-tee-uh-rol-uh-jee] / ˌmi ti əˈrɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the science dealing with the atmosphere and its phenomena, including weather and climate.

2. the atmospheric conditions and weather of an area.

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meteorology British  

/ ˌmiːtɪəˈrɒlədʒɪ, ˌmiːtɪərəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the study of the earth's atmosphere, esp of weather-forming processes and weather forecasting

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meteorology Scientific  

/ mē′tē-ə-rŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of the atmosphere and of atmospheric conditions, especially as they relate to weather and weather forecasting.

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meteorology Cultural  

1. The study of the weather and climate.

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Other Word Forms

• meteorological adjective
• meteorologically adverb
• meteorologist noun

Etymology

Origin of meteorology

First recorded in 1610–20; from Greek meteōrología “discussion of celestial phenomena”; meteor, -o-, -logy

Example Sentences

"I went to do physics at university, followed by meteorology as a masters degree and I came back to Cornwall as I'm born and bred here," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

While parts of California’s geography, geology and meteorology make circumstances unique along Highway 1, Beck said, precarious — and even crumbling — coastal highways are a relatively common problem across the globe.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

"Wood burning emissions enter the atmosphere, where they are affected by meteorology," Horton said.

From Science Daily • Jan. 26, 2026

“I would not get that job today till I had the American Meteorological Society seal or a degree in meteorology or atmospheric sciences,” Coleman said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025

The first result was The Method, which appeared in 1637, accompanied by three essays, on meteorology, optics and geometry.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

Related Words

• weather forecasting