climate

American  

[klahy-mit] / ˈklaɪ mɪt /

noun

climates plural

1. the composite or generally prevailing weather conditions of a region, as temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness, and winds, throughout the year, averaged over a series of years.

2. a region or area characterized by a given climate.

   to move to a warm climate.

3. the prevailing attitudes, standards, or environmental conditions of a group, period, or place.

   a climate of political unrest.

   Synonyms:

   temper, tone, spirit, atmosphere, mood

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climate British  

/ ˈklaɪmɪt, klaɪˈmætɪk /

noun

1. the long-term prevalent weather conditions of an area, determined by latitude, position relative to oceans or continents, altitude, etc

2. an area having a particular kind of climate

3. a prevailing trend or current of feeling

   the political climate

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climate Scientific  

/ klī′mĭt /

1. The general or average weather conditions of a certain region, including temperature, rainfall, and wind. On Earth, climate is most affected by latitude, the tilt of the Earth's axis, the movements of the Earth's wind belts, the difference in temperatures of land and sea, and topography. Human activity, especially relating to actions relating to the depletion of the ozone layer, is also an important factor.

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climate Cultural  

1. A region's usual weather patterns. The climate at any point on Earth is determined by things such as the general movement of the atmosphere, the proximity of the oceans, and the altitude of the location.

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Usage

Climatic is sometimes wrongly used where climactic is meant. Climatic is properly used to talk about things relating to climate; climactic is used to describe something which forms a climax

Discover More

The climate also is affected by the sun, by changes in the orbit of the Earth, by plate tectonics, and by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, which may lead to a greenhouse effect.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subclimate
  noun
• climatic
  adjective
• climatically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• climates
  plural

Etymology

Origin of climate

First recorded in 1350–1400, for an earlier sense; 1595–1605 climate for def. 2; Middle English climat, from Latin clīmat- (stem of clīma ), from Greek klīmat- , stem of klī́ma “slope,” from klī́(nein) “to bend, lean, slope” + -ma, noun suffix

Explanation

The climate is the general weather in a particular region. Florida is known for its temperate climate. The word climate is also used figuratively to mean "the usual conditions," as in "It's a favorable climate for school reform." Climate descends from Greek klima "region, surface of the earth," and from klinein "to slope." The original use of the word climate in English was in reference to one of the sloping zones of the earth from the equator toward the poles. This meaning was often used to refer to weather conditions in a zone of the earth, which developed into the current meaning of "the weather."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

climate climates

If the connection is correct, the event may have produced geological changes across several worlds and could even have influenced Earth's climate and biosphere.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026

"Genomic analyses show that koalas have experienced major population declines in the past due to climate change and habitat loss. When environmental conditions improved, their populations recovered and expanded across much of eastern Australia."

From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026

The European Union has unveiled proposals that would slow cuts to businesses' greenhouse gas emissions limits, as part of a major climate policy overhaul.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Advocates have stressed the connection between repeated episodes of wildfire smoke and climate change.

From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026

“We brought all these amazing young people together to show you that climate change isn’t some far-off threat,” Natalie said, reading from the screen on the podium.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

It also has a weatherproofing technologies segment focused on products that protect buildings from harsh climates and moisture.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

However, rapid changes between dry and wet climates did drive evolutionary change.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 20, 2026

That is starting to change, however, as more companies invest in sodium-ion batteries with an eye toward better performance in cold climates and reducing exposure to volatility from lithium prices, the IEA said.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026

The screwworms are typically found in warmer climates, but may now be moving further north due to climate change.

From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026

It had, perhaps, evolved, meeting the new climate as it had met all climates before.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Related Words

• atmosphere
• environment
• feeling
• mood
• surroundings
• trend