cloud seeding

American  

noun

1. any technique of adding material to a cloud to alter its natural development, usually to increase or obtain precipitation.

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cloud seeding Scientific  

1. A method of making a cloud give up its moisture as rain, especially by releasing particles of dry ice or silver iodide into cold clouds. Dry ice freezes water droplets in the cloud, turning them into nuclei for the formation of raindrops. Silver iodide particles are used because they have a crystal structure similar to ice and can also serve as nuclei for raindrop formation.

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cloud seeding Cultural  

1. A technique for producing rain by dropping chemicals or small objects into clouds.

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Etymology

Origin of cloud seeding

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cloud seeding

Kazakh authorities are betting on cloud seeding to reduce the impact of drought and water shortages in its southern Turkestan region, the country's leading cotton-growing region.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

To tackle the severe droughts and water shortages that plague the country, Kazakhstan has resorted to cloud seeding, a weather modification method previously unseen in Central Asia.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

Security Minister Djamari Chaniago said Monday Indonesia had deployed 43 helicopters and up to 15 fixed-wing planes for cloud seeding where needed.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

The U.S. military used cloud seeding during the Vietnam War in a classified project called Operation Popeye, to try to gain an advantage by extending the monsoon season, according to the State Department.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025

Today, many experts say cloud seeding can boost precipitation by roughly 10%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025