meteorology

noun

me·​te·​o·​rol·​o·​gy ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈrä-lə-jē 

1

: a science that deals with the atmosphere and its phenomena and especially with weather and weather forecasting

studied the principles of meteorology

2

: the atmospheric phenomena and weather of a region

the meteorology of the Gulf of Mexico

meteorologic

ˌmē-tē-ə-rə-ˈlä-jik 

adjective

or meteorological

ˌmē-tē-ə-rə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

meteorologically

ˌmē-tē-ə-rə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

meteorologist

ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈrä-lə-jist 

noun

Examples of meteorology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The almanac explains that its forecasts draw on various academic fields, including solar science, climatology and meteorology. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Modern meteorology is said to have started in the 1800s. —Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

The loss of federal funding for meteorology can (and likely will) have dire consequences. —Joanna Thompson, Space.com, 30 May 2025

Over half of the meteorology positions the weather service is trying to fill are for lead meteorologist or more senior positions, including five meteorologists who supervise the forecast offices. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French or Greek; French météorologie, from Middle French, from Greek meteōrologia, from meteōron + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for meteorology

• bacteriology
• biotechnology
• dialectology
• ecclesiology
• endocrinology
• epistemology
• geochronology
• geomorphology
• histopathology
• hydrogeology
• kinesiology
• microbiology

Kids Definition

meteorology

noun

me·​te·​o·​rol·​o·​gy ˌmēt-ē-ə-ˈräl-ə-jē 

: a science that deals with the atmosphere, weather, and weather forecasting

meteorologic

ˌmēt-ē-ə-rə-ˈläj-ik 

adjective

or meteorological

-ˈläj-i-kəl 

meteorologist

-ˈräl-ə-jəst 

noun