Meteorology
mee-tee-uh-ROL-uh-jee
/ˌmiːtiəˈrɒlədʒi/
The scientific study of the Earth's atmosphere, especially its weather and climate.
Meteorology is the overarching science; weather is what it studies day-to-day, and climate is the long-term pattern.
The story behind the word. The word 'meteorology' comes from the Greek 'meteoros', meaning 'lofty' or 'in the air', combined with 'logia', meaning 'study of'. Ancient Greeks, like Aristotle, considered all phenomena in the air – from rain to shooting stars – as 'meteora'. Over time, the term narrowed to focus specifically on atmospheric phenomena, giving us the science of weather.
Word relationships
- atmospheric science: A broader term, encompassing more than just weather and climate, like atmospheric chemistry.
- climatology: A sub-field of meteorology focusing specifically on climate.
Commonly confused with
- Astronomy: Meteorology studies Earth's atmosphere; Astronomy studies celestial bodies and the universe.
Word family
- meteorologist (noun): A scientist who studies meteorology.
- meteorological (adjective): Relating to meteorology or weather.
Collocations
- study of meteorology
- field of meteorology
- department of meteorology
- advances in meteorology
Example sentences
- "The Department of Meteorology offers advanced degrees in atmospheric physics and climate modeling." A university department focusing on atmospheric science.
- "Advances in computer modeling have revolutionized the field of meteorology, allowing for more accurate long-range forecasts." Discussing the importance of weather prediction.
Memory hook
Think of 'METEOR' (something in the air) + 'OLOGY' (study of). It's the study of things in the air, like weather! Meteors in the air
When not to use
Do not use 'meteorology' when simply referring to the weather itself; it refers to the study of weather.
Fun facts
- Aristotle wrote 'Meteorologica' around 340 BC, one of the earliest known treatises on meteorology.
- The first weather map was created in 1856 by Robert FitzRoy, captain of HMS Beagle (Darwin's ship).
Related words
Explore more words
forecast, Climate Change, troposphere, hydrology, observation, epidemiology
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