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

Derived Forms

• air-conditioning
  adjective
• air conditioner
  noun

Etymology

Origin of air conditioning

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Their analysis points to HFO-1234yf, a refrigerant commonly used in vehicle air conditioning systems, as an increasingly important contributor.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

It pioneered innovations such as no-bleed engine technology, which uses electric generators to power air conditioning and anti-ice systems.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Low-income families and seniors on fixed incomes already struggle to afford their bills and air conditioning is a must, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

"They do play with your mind - running around at night, in the ceiling, the air conditioning units. You can hear them and you can smell them - it's like a decaying body."

From BBC • May 30, 2026

The frigid air conditioning made his pores shrink.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner