pressure gradient

American  

noun

Meteorology.

1. the change in atmospheric pressure per unit of horizontal distance in the direction in which pressure changes most rapidly.

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pressure gradient British  

noun

1. the change of pressure per unit distance See adverse pressure gradient favourable pressure gradient

2. meteorol the decrease in atmospheric pressure per unit of horizontal distance, shown on a synoptic chart by the spacing of the isobars

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Etymology

Origin of pressure gradient

First recorded in 1915–20