weathering

American  

[weth-er-ing] / ˈwɛð ər ɪŋ /

noun

1. Architecture.  wash.

2. material used as a weather strip.

3. Geology.  the various mechanical and chemical processes that cause exposed rock to decompose.

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weathering British  

/ ˈwɛðərɪŋ /

noun

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

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weathering Scientific  

/ 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.

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weathering Cultural  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of weathering

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

Example Sentences

She writes that, as humans, we must often return to “our child self, weathering out obstacles in good faith.”

From Los Angeles Times

The researchers note that this cannot be explained by rock weathering alone, meaning other forces must have been involved in these dramatic cool-downs.

From Science Daily

More than five years after retiring as one of TV’s most recognizable and distinctive personalities, he has transitioned to riffing on weathering the ravages of aging.

From Los Angeles Times

After years of weathering the #AfterDark absurdity of the Pac-12 Conference, USC hoped moving to the Big Ten might help kick most of those bizarre midnight romps from its calendar.

From Los Angeles Times

Outside is a system of perforated, weathering steel panels, adding a layer of fire resistance while introducing shifting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• depletion
• depreciation
• erosion