climate

[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.
Origin
1350-1400 for earlier senses; 1595-1605 for def 2; Middle English climat < Latin clīmat- (stem of clīma) < Greek klīmat-, stem of klī́ma slope, equivalent to klī- (akin to klī́nein to slope, lean) + -ma noun suffix
Related forms
subclimate, noun
Synonyms
3. mood, atmosphere, spirit, tone, temper.
Examples from the web for climate
  • climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a particular area.
  • climate forecasting brings many more variables into play than weather prediction does.
  • For those who dread the heat that climate change threatens to bring in coming decades, take comfort.
  • Students will research, discuss, and write reports on the relationship between climate and agriculture.
  • Two scientists have linked climate variations to the collapse of societies around the globe.
  • Global warming, or climate change, is a subject that shows no sign of cooling down.
  • Ask the students what type of climate each area has.
  • The climate change is likely to impact ecosystems, agriculture, and the spread of disease.
  • It's a safe bet that global warming is causing more heat waves, climate experts say.
  • The current cycle of global warming is changing the rhythms of climate that all living things have come to rely upon.
British Dictionary definitions for climate

climate

/ˈklaɪmɪt/
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
Derived Forms
climatic (klaɪˈmætɪk), climatical, climatal, adjective
climatically, adverb
Usage note
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
Word Origin
C14: from Late Latin clima, from Greek klima inclination, region; related to Greek klinein to lean
Word Origin and History for climate
n.

late 14c., "horizontal zone of the earth," Scottish, from Old French climat "region, part of the earth," from Latin clima (genitive climatis) "region; slope of the Earth," from Greek klima "region, zone," literally "an inclination, slope," thus "slope of the Earth from equator to pole," from root of klinein "to slope, to lean" (see lean (v.)).

The angle of sun on the slope of the Earth's surface defined the zones assigned by early geographers. Early references in English, however, are in astrology works, as each of the seven (then) climates was held to be under the influence of one of the planets. Shift from "region" to "weather associated with a region" perhaps began in Middle English, certainly by c.1600.

climate in Science
climate
  (klī'mĭt)   
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.
climate in Culture

climate definition


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.

Note: 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.