air mass

noun

: a body of air extending hundreds or thousands of miles horizontally and sometimes as high as the stratosphere and maintaining as it travels nearly uniform conditions of temperature and humidity at any given level

Examples of air mass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What's the difference between an arctic air mass and the polar vortex? Arctic air masses originate over the Arctic or Antarctic regions and are very cold. —Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Feb. 2025

Forecasters warn that the arctic air mass could lead to significant health and safety risks, including hypothermia and frostbite, as well as disruptions to daily life. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

However, an air mass can sometimes block a storm, driving it north or northeast toward the Baja California peninsula and the west coast of Mexico. —The New York Times, New York Times, 31 July 2025

Much of Tennessee is predicted to see bitterly cold temperatures this week thanks to an Arctic air mass. —Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for air mass

• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• chagas
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse

Kids Definition

air mass

noun

: a body of air extending hundreds or thousands of miles sideways and sometimes as high as the stratosphere and having nearly the same conditions of temperature and humidity at any single level