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

See Examples For:

air conditioning

For me, that’s compounded by the fact that I don’t have air conditioning anywhere in the house but for a small, rickety wall unit in the bedroom — and only installed recently.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

It’s supposed to identify who’s medically at risk in a cell with no air conditioning.

From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026

Her car offers air conditioning and privacy, but the living conditions are "exhausting", Nishiyama said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

Meanwhile Mandy says she is grateful that the new community room with its air conditioning is providing some immediate respite for her and her mum.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

Maybe like one person is always sitting in there, probably just to soak up the air conditioning.

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling