climate

American  

[klahy-mit] / ˈklaɪ mɪt /

noun

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

• climatic adjective
• climatically adverb
• subclimate noun

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

Example Sentences

Scientists are eager to understand how these systems are changing as the climate shifts.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

Exxon began pursuing its algae research in 2009, about two years after first publicly acknowledging that burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The EU's climate commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, who was in Rome Tuesday for a hearing with senators on Italy's energy mix, declined to comment on Rome's decision.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

He said "almost all" of the Isle of Man was suitable for the project, with the island holding the right climate and geographical makeup "in droves".

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

His frustration over it went up and down like a barometer, the climate being the extent to which he was able to comprehend and resolve whatever mathematical problem preoccupied him at any given moment.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok

Related Words

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