weathering

[ weth-er-ing ]

noun

1. Architecture. wash ( def 45 ).
2. material used as a weather strip.
3. Geology. the various mechanical and chemical processes that cause exposed rock to decompose. Compare chemical weathering, mechanical weathering.

weathering

/ ˈwɛðərɪŋ /

noun

1. the mechanical and chemical breakdown of rocks by the action of rain, snow, cold, etc

weathering

/ wĕth′ər-ĭng /

1. Any of the chemical or mechanical processes by which rocks exposed to the weather undergo chemical decomposition and physical disintegration. Although weathering usually occurs at the Earth's surface, it can also occur at significant depths, for example through the percolation of groundwater through fractures in bedrock. It usually results in changes in the color, texture, composition, or hardness of the affected rocks.

weathering

1. The process by which rocks are broken down into small grains and soil . Weathering can happen through rainfall, ice formation, or the action of living things, such as algae and plant roots. It is part of the geological cycle .

Word History and Origins

Origin of weathering¹

First recorded in 1655–65; weather + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

In this cycle, plate tectonics, weathering and other processes continually transform Earth’s rocks from one type to another.

From Science News For Students

Earthly buttes in the American desert Southwest are formed principally by erosion and weathering.

From Time

This means volcanoes could be important in the weathering process as well.

From Popular-Science

Ergonomically-designed for support and comfort, this modern set will endure any outdoor conditions without fading or weathering.

From Popular-Science

A new startup is relying on minerals to pull carbon dioxide out of the air, in one of the first commercial efforts to deploy what’s known as enhanced weathering to slow climate change.

From MIT Technology Review

How are you weathering that roller coaster, with each and every year the future so up in the air?

From The Daily Beast

For the moment at least, Walker appears to be weathering the controversy.

From The Daily Beast

In 2011, after weathering criticism from the media, fans, and even his teammates, Beckham finally enjoyed a stellar season.

From The Daily Beast

The French president has had a rough start–weathering a storm, his plane struck by lightning.

From The Daily Beast

Economics departments are not only weathering the recession, they're diversifying their courses to take advantage of it.

From The Daily Beast

One wing showed the effect of weathering, but it was an all-metal Roamer of the latest model and it had withstood the ordeal well.

From Project Gutenberg

A monstrous block on the starboard side had not been long adrift, for it showed but slight signs of weathering.

From Project Gutenberg

The water was diminished in the hold, and the Lively Bee was weathering the storm splendidly.

From Project Gutenberg

Its height was indicated by the weathering on the tower, and it seems to have had flanking pinnacles and graduated panelling.

From Project Gutenberg

At length Cape Saint Antonio appeared in sight; and, weathering it, the course was altered to south-east.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• depletion
• depreciation
• erosion