Climate Meaning
/ˈklaɪ.mɪt/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe long-term manifestations of weather and other atmospheric conditions in a given area or country, now usually represented by the statistical summary of its weather conditions during a period long enough to ensure that representative values are obtained (generally 30 years).
nounThe context in general of a particular political, moral, etc., situation.
Sentence Examples
I really enjoy the climate.
The climate has much to do with our mind and body.
Few businesses are flourishing in the present economic climate.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The cold ____ in Alaska requires heavy winter gear.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ in this tropical region is typically very hot and humid all year round.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English climat, from Old French climat, from Latin clima, from Ancient Greek κλίμα (klíma, “latitude”, literally “inclination”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"As fruits of hotter countries, transearthed in colder climates, have vigour enough in themselves to be fructuous according to their nature: but, that they are hindered by the chilling nips of the air, and the soil, wherein they are planted."
— 1904, Owen Felltham, William Henry Oliphant Smeaton, Resolves:
"And the effects from climate change are already extreme."
— 2018, VOA Learning English > China's Melting Glacier Brings Visitors, Adds to Climate Concerns:
"In polling by the Pew Research Center in November 2008, fully half the respondents thought the two parties would cooperate more in the coming year, versus only 36 percent who thought the climate would grow more adversarial."
— 2012 November 7, Matt Bai, “Winning a Second Term, Obama Will Confront Familiar Headwinds”, in New York Times:
"This isn't the time for militant unionism. If I were at ScotRail, in the current climate I'd trade a pay freeze [sic: pay rise?] for job security."
— 2020 December 2, Philip Haigh, “A winter of discontent caused by threat of union action”, in Rail, page 63:
"The blessed gods / Purge all infection from our air whilst you / Do climate here!"
— c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], line 169:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The cold ____ in Alaska requires heavy winter gear.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ in this tropical region is typically very hot and humid all year round.