Definition: Climate

From New World Encyclopedia

Etymology

From Middle English climat, from Old French climat, from Latin clima, from Ancient Greek κλίμα or klíma (latitude, or more literally, inclination).

Noun

climate (plural climates)

  1. The 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).
  2. The context in general of a particular political, moral, etc., situation.
  3. A shortening of the term "climate change."

Derived terms

  • climate change
  • climate control
  • climate crisis
  • climatology
  • political climate

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