meteorological
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of meteorological
1560–70; < Greek meteōrologik ( ós ) pertaining to celestial phenomena ( see meteorology, -ic) + -al 1
Explanation
Something that's meteorological is related to the weather or changes in the Earth's atmosphere. If you're interested in a meteorological career, it means you'd like to be a meteorologist — a weather expert. Meteorological events include things like fog, rain, tornadoes, and hurricanes. They are all caused by meteorological changes and shifts: in the temperature, air pressure, and amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. The word meteorological comes from the Greek root meteorologia, "discussion of high things," from meteor-, "thing high up," and logia, "the study of."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"This heat wave will be extraordinary due to its length, not only the high temperatures," climatologist Gregor Vrtacnik said in a press conference hosted by meteorological agency ARSO.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
“Everything points to the summer of 2026 being the warmest in recorded meteorological history in Spain and France,” said Javier Martin-Vide, a climate specialist and professor at the University of Barcelona.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
Areas of Coquimbo recorded historic rainfall, including more than 200mm at Cerro Tololo, according to Chile's meteorological authorities.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
Poland recorded a new all-time high of 40.5C in the western town of Slubice, according to the national meteorological institute.
From Barron's ● Jun. 28, 2026
I got up, went to the cracked glass, and saw that it was both raining and shining outside— a bit of meteorological weirdness whose name no one can seem to agree on.
From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
