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

• air
• ambience
• ambiance
• aroma
• atmosphere
• aura
• flavor
• halo
• karma
• mood
• nimbus
• note
• odor
• patina
• smell
• temper
• vibration(s)

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

This sentiment was widespread in Silicon Valley posting over the weekend, recalling the febrile climate earlier in the year when Silicon Valley Bank suddenly failed. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Nov. 2023

Yet the nation is listed sixth in the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative’s ranking of countries most exposed to climate impacts. —Frank Hulley-Jones, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023

Those abstaining from Black Friday shopping cite rising prices as the primary deterrent, further highlighting the critical role of deals in navigating the current economic climate. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 17 Nov. 2023

What he’s found is that the economy sets the climate for national elections. —Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023

But with a year-round temperate climate and hilly terrain, the city also offers great hiking (often with ocean or bay views). —Jenna Scatena, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023

There are some who won’t drink Kentucky bourbon aged for more than about 12 years, pointing to the fact that the climate there will lead to overly tannic, extremely oaky whiskey that has lost its delicate character and complexity. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 Nov. 2023

Mark Kelly Many environmentalists are understandably skeptical about a climate gathering that will be led by the chief executive of the United Arab Emirates’ national oil company. —Fred Krupp, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023

This has created a climate of uncertainty, fear and violence, Moustafa Ayad, executive director at the ISD for Africa, the Middle East and Asia, told ABC News. —Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 15 Nov. 2023

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

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

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.