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

Bass said those facilities are a vast improvement over the street, providing bathrooms, heating, air conditioning, hot showers, three meals a day and doors that lock.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Bangladesh has banned the use of air conditioning to cool buildings under 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

They included the heating, the plumbing, and the air conditioning.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

The Thai government has asked people to take their jackets off as part of measures to cut down on the amount of energy consumed by air conditioning units.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

She reached out and turned the air conditioning down a couple of clicks.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner