Meteorology

Meteorology

Noun · /ˌmiː.ti.əˈrɒl.ə.dʒi/

Definition

The branch of science concerned with the study of the atmosphere, particularly the processes and phenomena of weather; weather science and forecasting.

Origin

From Greek meteorologia (study of celestial phenomena), from meteōra (things in the air above, heavenly bodies, from meta-, above + aeirein, to lift) + -logia (study of, from logos, word, reason). The Greek meteōra referred to any atmospheric or celestial phenomena. Aristotle's Meteorologica (c. 340 BCE) was the first systematic treatment of what we would now call meteorology and also chemistry, geology, and astronomy. The modern science developed from the 17th century with the invention of the thermometer and barometer.