Hadley cell

noun

Had·​ley cell ˈhad-lē- How to pronounce Hadley cell (audio)
: a pattern of atmospheric circulation in which warm air rises near the equator, cools as it travels poleward at high altitude, sinks as cold air, and warms as it travels equatorward
also : a similar atmospheric circulation pattern on another planet (such as Mars)

Examples of Hadley cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And ozone depletion in the Southern Hemisphere also makes the Hadley cell’s influence over shifting desert regions more pronounced there. Justine Calma, The Verge, 26 July 2023 Because the westerlies form at the edge of each hemisphere’s Hadley cell that is closest to the pole, the bigger the size of the cell, the more the winds move toward the pole. Anil Ananthaswamy, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2020 The westerlies are the result of a global atmospheric circulation system, starting with what is called the Hadley cell. Anil Ananthaswamy, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Hadley cell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

George Hadley †1768 English scientific writer

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hadley cell was in 1955

Dictionary Entries Near Hadley cell

Cite this Entry

“Hadley cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hadley%20cell. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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