Meteorology
/ˌmiːtiəˈrɒlədʒi/noun
The scientific study of the atmosphere and weather.
Did you know?The Greek root meteoros originally meant “high up” or “suspended in the air,” and it was used for celestial and atmospheric phenomena before modern science narrowed it to weather study.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
meteōrologia
“the study of things high in the air; atmospheric phenomena”
Ancient Greek
Greek
meteōros
“high up, lofty, suspended in the air”
Ancient Greek
Greek
meteōra
“things aloft; celestial or atmospheric things”
Late Latin
Latin
meteorologia
“study of atmospheric phenomena”
Middle French
French
météorologie
“study of atmospheric phenomena”
17th Century
English
meteorology
“the study of weather and atmospheric conditions”
Modern English
English
meteorology
“the scientific study of the atmosphere and weather”
Explore more surprising origins