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

With the number of very hot days increasing every year, Delhi’s autorickshaws must adapt and find a way to add air conditioning, Sharma says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026

The temperatures were so hot in France that the lack of air conditioning in many parts of hospitals is posing a health risk.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026

However, she said many schools had "poor" ventilation and no air conditioning, so more investment was needed to make buildings safe and suitable in hotter conditions.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026

Public health experts warn that prolonged heat can be especially dangerous because temperatures are expected to remain unusually warm overnight, offering little relief for people without air conditioning.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026

My solution to the lack of air conditioning at my own house was to run our T-shirts under the cold, cold tap water in the bathroom sink.

From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth