climate

noun

cli·​mate ˈklī-mət 

1

: a region of the earth having specified climatic conditions

His physician advised moving to a warmer climate.

2

a

: the average course or condition of the weather at a place usually over a period of years as exhibited by temperature, wind velocity, and precipitation

a healthful climate

a warm, humid climate

b

: the prevailing set of conditions (as of temperature and humidity) indoors

a climate-controlled office

3

: the prevailing influence or environmental conditions characterizing a group or period : atmosphere

a climate of fear

a climate of suspicion

the cultural climate of the 1960s

Did you know?

If you stand at the equator, the celestial poles (the points in the sky directly above the North and South poles) lie on the horizon. As you move northward, the northern celestial pole gradually rises above the horizon, so the sky is in effect tilted. The ancient Greeks called this tilt klima, literally “slope,” “inclination.” Because the angle is determined by your latitude, klima came to mean “latitude,” and the earth was divided into seven latitudinal regions, called klimata. The word came into modern European languages as clime or climate, and the weather of a region was also called climate.

Synonyms of climate

• atmosphere
• aura
• air
• smell
• aroma

Examples of climate in a Sentence

living in a cold climate

These trees only grow in humid climates.

The country's climate is ideal for growing grapes.

the humid climate of Malaysia

A climate of fear prevails in the city.

the country's changing economic climate

The company is trying to develop a positive climate for innovation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The latest scorcher comes after Western Europe recorded its hottest June and July on record, according to Copernicus, the European Union’s climate monitor. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

On climate, liberals would offer tax rewards for green energy, support joining climate pacts, and phasing out fossil fuels gradually over decades. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

Their calculations indicate that electrifying the cement kiln and directly capturing CO₂ could reduce the climate impact of cement production by up to 78 per cent by 2050. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026

But research shows that not responding to emails can have negative consequences on senders and on the broader college campus climate. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English climat, from Middle French, from Late Latin climat-, clima, from Greek klimat-, klima inclination, latitude, climate, from klinein to lean — more at lean

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing climate

• climate change
• climate change denial
• climate change denier
• climate-controlled
• climate denial
• climate denier

Rhymes for climate

• microclimate
• sublimate

Kids Definition

climate

noun

cli·​mate ˈklī-mət 

1

a

: a region with specified weather conditions

b

: the average weather conditions of a particular place or region over a period of years

2

: the usual or most widespread mood or conditions

a climate of fear

climatic

klī-ˈmat-ik, 

klə-

adjective

Etymology

Middle English climat "climate," from Latin climat-, clima (same meaning), from Greek klimat-, klima "slope, latitude, climate," from klinein "to lean, recline" — related to climax, clinic

Word Origin

If you stand at the equator and look up at the sky, the celestial pole (the point in the sky directly above earth's North and South Poles) lies on the horizon. As you move northward, the celestial pole gradually rises above the horizon, so that the sky is in effect tilted. This tilt or inclination was called by the ancient Greeks klima (literally, "slope," "inclination"). Because the angle of inclination is determined by your latitude on earth, klima came to mean "latitude," and the earth was divided into seven latitudinal regions, called klimata (the plural of klima). This word was borrowed into modern European languages as clime or climate, and the weather characteristic of a particular region was also called climate.