meteorology

play

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

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

Flight dispatchers are also trained in meteorology and can read the FAA’s weather radar.

— allison hope, CNT, "This Person Is More in Control of Your Flight Than the Pilot," 24 Aug. 2017
Norcross’ seriousness has won the respect of Jon Ahlquist, an associate professor of meteorology at Florida State University.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Hurricane Andrew: The meteorologist who became a hero," 23 Aug. 2017
Justin Hobson, an independent storm chaser and a meteorologist now with Environment Canada, was an undergraduate student of meteorology that day.

— ian livingston, Washington Post, "10 years later, Canada’s only F5 tornado remains in a class of its own," 22 June 2017
That episode, one of four in India since 1998 that each killed more than 1,000 people, ranks as the fifth-deadliest heat wave in history, said Jeff Masters, the meteorology director at the online weather service Weather Underground.

— salman masood and mike ives, New York Times, "As Asian Scorchers Multiply, Records Fall and Attention Rises," 17 June 2017
Rick DiMaio has taught meteorology at Oakton Community College for the past eight years.

— brooke eberle, chicagotribune.com, "Shout Out: Rick DiMaio, TV meteorologist, Oakton teacher," 14 June 2017
During her time at Mississippi State, Anne Elise was selected by the meteorology department to be on the Great Plains Storm Chase team.

— robert philpot, star-telegram.com, "CBS 11 adds Anne Elise Parks to weather team," 5 June 2017
Before joining WWL, Franklin -- who owns a meteorology degree from South Alabama -- was the morning meteorologist on crosstown rival WVUE.

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "WWL-TV meteorologist Chris Franklin moves to full-time role," 1 June 2017
Teachman was born and raised in Haysville, Kan., and began her broadcasting career in 1996 as a KSNW-TV meteorology intern under Freeman.

— robert a. cronkleton, kansascity.com, "Meteorologist Lisa Teachman is leaving KCTV and heading to Wichita station," 1 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

METEOROLOGY Defined for English Language Learners

meteorology

play

noun

Definition of meteorology for English Language Learners

: a science that deals with the atmosphere and with weather

METEOROLOGY Defined for Kids

meteorology

play

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

anathematize

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Meat Sweats': The Competitive Eater's Worst Nightmare

'Diffuse' vs. 'Defuse'

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

True or False?

Citation

'Meat Sweats': The Competitive Eater's Worst Nightmare

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066

meteorology

Definition of meteorology

meteorologic

meteorologically

meteorologist

Explore Merriam-Webster

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

'Meat Sweats': The Competitive Eater's Worst Nightmare

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066