condensation
Water which collects as droplets on a cold surface when humid air comes into contact with it; the conversion of a vapor or gas to a liquid.
Can refer to both the physical process of gas turning to liquid, and the actual water droplets that form as a result.
Word relationships
- moisture: Moisture is a general term for any wetness; condensation is specifically water that has converted from gas to liquid on a surface.
- evaporation: Evaporation is the process of liquid turning into gas, the exact opposite of condensation.
Commonly confused with
- precipitation: Precipitation is water falling from the sky (rain, snow); condensation is water vapor turning to liquid on a surface or in the air.
Word family
- condense (verb): To change from a gas or vapor to a liquid.
- condenser (noun): An apparatus for condensing vapor.
Collocations
- window condensation
- condensation forms
- prevent condensation
- heavy condensation
Example sentences
- "In the morning, heavy condensation coated the inside of the bedroom windows, blocking the view of the garden." A common morning sight in winter.
- "The cold glass of iced tea quickly gathered beads of condensation on its outer surface on the hot summer afternoon." A scientific explanation of a cold drink.
Memory hook
Think of water vapor molecules getting 'dense' and packing tightly together until they turn into heavy liquid drops. That is condensation. Condensation makes vapor dense.
When not to use
Do not use to describe rain falling from clouds (which is precipitation), though condensation is the step that forms the clouds first.
Fun facts
- The fog on your bathroom mirror after a shower is actually a collection of millions of microscopic water droplets created by condensation.
Related words
Explore more words
humidity, precipitation, condense, convection, Polymerization, inversion
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.