weathering

American  

[weth-er-ing] / ˈwɛð ər ɪŋ /

noun

1. Architecture. wash.

2. material used as a weather strip.

3. Geology. the various mechanical and chemical processes that cause exposed rock to decompose.

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weathering British  

/ ˈwɛðərɪŋ /

noun

1. the mechanical and chemical breakdown of rocks by the action of rain, snow, cold, etc

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weathering Scientific  

/ wĕth′ər-ĭng /

1. Any of the chemical or mechanical processes by which rocks exposed to the weather undergo chemical decomposition and physical disintegration. Although weathering usually occurs at the Earth's surface, it can also occur at significant depths, for example through the percolation of groundwater through fractures in bedrock. It usually results in changes in the color, texture, composition, or hardness of the affected rocks.

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weathering Cultural  

1. The process by which rocks are broken down into small grains and soil. Weathering can happen through rainfall, ice formation, or the action of living things, such as algae and plant roots. It is part of the geological cycle.

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Etymology

Origin of weathering

First recorded in 1655–65; weather + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

“All of this suggests that the Fed’s inflation worries extend beyond weathering a fleeting wave of one-off price hikes associated with tariffs and, more recently, an energy price spike,” Stanley says.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Hong Kong’s flag carrier signaled its confidence in weathering the Middle East conflict that has disrupted aviation and driven a surge in fuel prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

That doesn’t mean they aren’t weathering any storms.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2026

Broz explained that on Earth, kaolinite is most commonly found in tropical environments such as rainforests, where heavy rainfall drives intense chemical weathering.

From Science Daily • Jan. 27, 2026

There must be some feature of the mineral content of these stone roads that made them run in ribbon-like lines over the vast savanna, and be so resistant to weathering or cracking.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• depletion
• depreciation
• erosion