weather

¹weath·er

noun \ˈwe-thər\

Definition of WEATHER

1

: the state of the atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or cloudiness

2

: state or vicissitude of life or fortune

3

: disagreeable atmospheric conditions: as

a : rain, storm

b : cold air with dampness

4

: weathering

— to weather

: in the direction from which the wind is blowing

— under the weather

1

: ill

2

: drunk 1a

Examples of WEATHER

1. The weather today will be hot and dry.
2. The hikers sought protection from the weather under an overhang.
3. It looks like we're in for some weather tomorrow.
4. We'll take a look at the weather right after this commercial break.
5. Check the weather before you make plans.

Origin of WEATHER

Middle English weder, from Old English; akin to Old High German wetar weather, Old Church Slavic vetrŭ wind

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

Rhymes with WEATHER

feather, heather, leather, nether, tether, wether, whether

²weather

verb

weath·eredweath·er·ing \ˈweth-riŋ, ˈwe-thə-\

Definition of WEATHER

transitive verb

1

: to expose to the open air : subject to the action of the elements

2

: to bear up against and come safely through <weather a storm> <weather a crisis>

intransitive verb

: to undergo or endure the action of the elements

Examples of WEATHER

1. The wood on the porch has weathered over the years.
2. They weathered a terrible storm while at sea.
3. He has weathered the criticism well.

First Known Use of WEATHER

15th century

Related to WEATHER

Synonyms

ride (out), survive

Related Words

outlast, outlive, wear out; pull through; abide, continue, endure, hang on, hold on, hold out, hold up, last, lead, persist, stand, stick out, withstand; be, breathe, exist, live, subsist; flourish, prosper, thrive

Near Antonyms

croak [slang], decease, depart, die, expire, pass (on), pass away, perish, succumb; disappear, evaporate, fade, vanish; cease, end, stop

Rhymes with WEATHER

feather, heather, leather, tether, whether

³weather

adjective

Definition of WEATHER

: of or relating to the side facing the wind — compare lee

First Known Use of WEATHER

1582

weather

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

State of the atmosphere at a particular place during a short period of time. It involves day-to-day changes in such atmospheric phenomena as temperature, humidity, precipitation (type and amount), air pressure, wind, and cloud cover. Most weather occurs in the troposphere, but phenomena of the higher regions of the atmosphere, such as jet streams, and geographic features, most notably mountains and large bodies of water, also affect it. See also climate.