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