meteorology

noun

me·​te·​o·​rol·​o·​gy ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈrä-lə-jē How to pronounce meteorology (audio)
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 Great Lakes
meteorologic
ˌmē-tē-ə-rə-ˈlä-jik How to pronounce meteorology (audio)
adjective
or meteorological
ˌmē-tē-ə-rə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce meteorology (audio)
meteorologically
ˌmē-tē-ə-rə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce meteorology (audio)
adverb
meteorologist
ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈrä-lə-jist How to pronounce meteorology (audio)
noun

Examples of meteorology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 1944, meteorology was largely looking at a window, the sky, or the records kept from years previous. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 30 May 2026 This heat dome is the result of high pressure air gathering together in the upper atmosphere in what is commonly referred to as a ridge in meteorology. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 The coming hot weather in the East next week may be what in meteorology is known as a teleconnection with the European heat wave, Merrill said. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 June 2026 To give Stagg an all-important sense of humanity outside of his no-nonsense approach to meteorology, Haig ensured the film had moments between Stagg and his wife, who is set to give birth any day to their first child. — Barry Levitt, Time, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for meteorology

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of meteorology was in 1563

Rhymes for meteorology

See All Rhymes for meteorology

Browse Nearby Words

meteorologist
meteorology
meteorous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meteorology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meteorology. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

meteorology

noun
me·​te·​o·​rol·​o·​gy ˌmēt-ē-ə-ˈräl-ə-jē How to pronounce meteorology (audio)
: a science that deals with the atmosphere, weather, and weather forecasting
meteorologic
ˌmēt-ē-ə-rə-ˈläj-ik How to pronounce meteorology (audio)
adjective
or meteorological
-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce meteorology (audio)
meteorologist
-ˈräl-ə-jəst How to pronounce meteorology (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on meteorology

Nglish: Translation of meteorology for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meteorology

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