meteorology

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

|Updated on: 7 Jul 2018

Definition of meteorology

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

play \-rə-ˈlä-jik\ or meteorological play \-ji-kəl\ adjective

—

meteorologically

play \-ji-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

—

meteorologist

play \-ˈrä-lə-jist\ noun

See meteorology defined for English-language learners

See meteorology defined for kids

Recent Examples of meteorology from the Web

Everything from methods for riveting to a crash-course in meteorology for pilots.

— eric limer, Popular Mechanics, "The Disney Cartoon That Teaches You How to Fire an Anti-Tank Rifle," 3 Dec. 2015
The Wilson Center holds an event on solutions in Arctic meteorology.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Arnold Schwarzenegger calls Scott Pruitt 'worst environmental secretary that we have ever had'," 29 May 2018
Classroom courses such as meteorology and aviation law are taught by academic faculty, but flight instructors are usually experienced students or graduates looking to gain flight hours before heading off to the commercial big leagues.

— andrew van dam, latimes.com, "Pilot-hungry airlines are raiding flight schools, creating a shortage of instructors to train the next generation," 21 May 2018
Tornadoes are more likely to form in the southeast portion of the US from mid-April to early May, Dr. Jeffrey Basara, an associate professor of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, told Fox News.

— madeline farber, Fox News, "'Tornado Alley' and other things to know during tornado season," 16 May 2018
One simple rule of meteorology: Air moves from relatively higher pressure toward relatively lower pressure.

— robert krier, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Make way for May gray," 10 May 2018
Jeff Masters, the director of meteorology for The Weather Underground, estimated the storm had a 10 percent chance of developing, possibly into a tropical system, in the next few days.

— martin vassolo, miamiherald, "A tropical 'disturbance' is moving toward Florida, and forecasters are watching it," 3 May 2018
Jeff Masters, the director of the of meteorology for The Weather Underground, estimated the storm had a 10 percent chance of developing, possibly into a tropical system, in the next few days, the Herald reported.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "Carolinas 'keeping a careful eye' on Florida tropical disturbance | Charlotte Observer," 3 May 2018
Joe D’Aleo was the first director of meteorology at the Weather Channel and helped Coleman launch the network in 1982.

— jason samenow, Washington Post, "‘We pulled off everyday miracles’: Inside the birth of the Weather Channel," 19 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'meteorology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of meteorology

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1563

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

METEOROLOGY Defined for English Language Learners

meteorology

noun

Definition of meteorology for English Language Learners

: a science that deals with the atmosphere and with weather

METEOROLOGY Defined for Kids

meteorology

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

Definition of meteorology for Students

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

Learn More about meteorology

Spanish Central: Translation of meteorology Nglish: Translation of meteorology for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of meteorology for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meteorology

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up meteorology? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

meteorology

Definition of meteorology

meteorologic

meteorologically

meteorologist

Recent Examples of meteorology from the Web

Origin and Etymology of meteorology

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

METEOROLOGY Defined for English Language Learners

meteorology

Definition of meteorology for English Language Learners

METEOROLOGY Defined for Kids

meteorology

Definition of meteorology for Students

Learn More about meteorology

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

gaffer

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Words We're Watching: 'Low-key'

The Difference Between Dependent and Independent Clauses

'Cliché': We’ve Heard It All Before

Some Notes On 'Asshat'

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

The Eponym Quiz

Semantic Drift Quiz

Spell It

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Words We're Watching: 'Low-key'

The Eponym Quiz

Come Back Here With That: 10 Fun Words for Stealing

Trending: WaPo: Doocy 'Incomparably Sequacious'

Ghost Word

meteorology

Definition of meteorology

meteorologic

meteorologically

meteorologist

Recent Examples of meteorology from the Web

Origin and Etymology of meteorology

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

METEOROLOGY Defined for English Language Learners

meteorology

Definition of meteorology for English Language Learners

METEOROLOGY Defined for Kids

meteorology

Definition of meteorology for Students

Learn More about meteorology

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Words We're Watching: 'Low-key'

The Eponym Quiz

Come Back Here With That: 10 Fun Words for Stealing

Trending: WaPo: Doocy 'Incomparably Sequacious'

Ghost Word