DictionaryAI

climate

KLY-mit/ˈklaɪ.mɪt/

Pluralclimates

4 meanings of climate

Practice

  1. 1
    weather patternnouncountable or uncountable
    The usual pattern of weather a place has over many years.

    Weather is what happens today; climate is what usually happens over many years.

    The climate here is hot and dry all year long.

    A warmer climate makes the plants grow faster.

    UsageWeather is what happens today; climate is the usual weather over many years.

  2. 2
    general moodnounfigurativelyusually singular
    The general mood or feelings around a situation, such as in politics.

    Like the mood in a room: you can feel it even when no one says anything.

    The political climate made people nervous about speaking up.

    In the current climate, many families are saving more money.

    UsageOften the political climate or in the current climate.

    Similaratmosphere, environment, mood, situation

    Note
  3. 3
    latitude bandnounobsoletecountable
    An old word for a part of the earth, at first one of the bands between two lines of latitude.
    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    verbobsolete
    To live or stay in a place.
    The blessed gods / Purge all infection from our air whilst you / Do climate here!
    c. 1610, William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”Here, climate means to live or stay in a place.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

It came from a Greek word klíma, which meant 'latitude' and literally 'inclination'. It reached English through Latin and French.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts