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water vapor
noun
: water in a vaporous form especially when below boiling temperature and diffused (as in the atmosphere)
Examples of water vapor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano also shot millions of tons of water vapor into the stratosphere, which scientists say helped to trap some heat.
—Hayley Smith Los Angeles Times (tns), arkansasonline.com, 1 Apr. 2024
Usually, volcanoes emit sulfur dioxide, which produces a temporary cooling effect, and water vapor, which does the opposite.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024
The eruption’s lava fountains reached between about 160 and 260 feet high, and the volcanic plume, a mixture of magmatic gases like volcanic particles and water vapor, stretched almost two miles into the air.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024
Atmospheric rivers are streams of water vapor in the sky.
—NBC News, 6 Feb. 2024
The process creates byproducts—water vapor and oxygen—that are nontoxic to humans.
—Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 2 Feb. 2024
Cloud trails like this may form when water vapor condenses around tiny pollution particles spewed from the smokestacks of ships.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2024
Hydrogen combustion releases water vapor, rather than planet-heating carbon dioxide emissions.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 22 Dec. 2023
Frost forms when that air becomes supersaturated, the excess water vapor is deposited as seed crystals on various surfaces, and the air temperature drops below the dew point.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'water vapor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of water vapor was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near water vapor
Cite this Entry
“Water vapor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20vapor. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Kids Definition
water vapor
noun
: water in a gaseous form especially when below boiling temperature and spread through the atmosphere
Medical Definition
water vapor
noun
: water in a vaporous form especially when below boiling temperature and diffused (as in the atmosphere)
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