What does meteorological mean?
Meteorological is an adjective relating to meteorology, the scientific study of the atmosphere and weather. It describes the conditions, phenomena, observations, data, and forecasts associated with the atmosphere. The phrase “meteorological conditions” is especially common, although it can sound more formal than the everyday phrase “weather conditions.” Meteorological reports and warnings often concern storms, temperature, precipitation, wind, visibility, or other atmospheric developments. The word also appears in more specialized contexts, including climatology, aviation, navigation, and historical weather analysis. Unlike climatological, which focuses primarily on long-term patterns in climate, meteorological more directly concerns the atmosphere and individual weather systems. Although an ordinary speaker can readily understand it, “meteorological” is most typical of formal, scientific, and public-information contexts. Its distinction from “meteorology” is grammatical: “meteorology” names the science, while “meteorological” characterizes anything connected with that science.
adjectiveRelating to meteorology, the scientific study of the atmosphere and weather; concerning atmospheric conditions or weather phenomena.
- Relating to meteorology, the scientific study of the atmosphere and weather; concerning atmospheric conditions or weather phenomena.
"The approaching storm prompted a meteorological warning for coastal communities."
"Forecasters issued a meteorological warning as the storm approached."
"Meteorological records indicate that rainfall in the region has increased over the past fifty years."
Its Greek root meant “thing high up”—a reminder that the weather began with people watching the sky.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does meteorological come from?
The adjective entered English in the early 17th century through French météorologique, ultimately derived from Greek meteorologikos, “of or relating to meteorology.” Meteorology itself comes from Greek meteorologia, a term associated with studying phenomena in the sky. Its deeper root, Greek meteōros, referred to something high or elevated in the sky.
Related word forms
How meteorological is actually used
The word is formal and scientific in tone. It commonly appears in reports, forecasts, and discussions of atmospheric conditions. In American pronunciation, the stressed vowel is generally /ɑː/ rather than the British /ɒ/: /ˌmiːtiəˈrɑːdʒɪkəl/.