cloud seeding

American  

noun

1. any technique of adding material to a cloud to alter its natural development, usually to increase or obtain precipitation.

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cloud seeding Scientific  

1. A method of making a cloud give up its moisture as rain, especially by releasing particles of dry ice or silver iodide into cold clouds. Dry ice freezes water droplets in the cloud, turning them into nuclei for the formation of raindrops. Silver iodide particles are used because they have a crystal structure similar to ice and can also serve as nuclei for raindrop formation.

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cloud seeding Cultural  

1. A technique for producing rain by dropping chemicals or small objects into clouds.

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Etymology

Origin of cloud seeding

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Iranian authorities have carried out several cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall in recent months and resorted to cutting off water supplies periodically to manage consumption.

From Barron's

For nearly an hour, Doricko told Ryan’s listeners what cloud seeding is and isn’t.

From The Wall Street Journal

Invented in 1946 by General Electric scientists in upstate New York, cloud seeding works because silver iodide particles resemble ice crystals.

From The Wall Street Journal

Cloud seeding had its heyday in the 1970s but declined because scientists found it difficult to quantify its effects.

From The Wall Street Journal

Today, many experts say cloud seeding can boost precipitation by roughly 10%.

From The Wall Street Journal