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Definition of 'weather'

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weather

(wɛðər )
Word forms: weathers, weathering, weathered
1. uncountable noun
The weather is the condition of the atmosphere in one area at a particular time, for example, if it is raining, hot, or windy.
The weather was bad.
I like cold weather.
2. transitive verb/intransitive verb
If something such as wood or rock weathers or is weathered, it changes color or shape as a result of the wind, sun, rain, or cold.
Unpainted wooden furniture weathers to a gray color.
3. transitive verb
If you weather a difficult time or a difficult situation, you survive it and are able to continue normally after it has passed or ended.
The company has weathered the recession.
Synonyms: withstand, stand, suffer, survive   More Synonyms of weather
4. 
See under the weather
More Synonyms of weather
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

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weather in American English

(ˈwɛðər )
noun
1. 
the general condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place, with regard to the temperature, moisture, cloudiness, etc.
2. 
disagreeable or harmful atmospheric conditions; storm, rain, etc.
protected against the weather
verb transitive
3. 
to expose to the action of weather or atmosphere, as for airing, drying or seasoning
4. 
to wear away, discolor, disintegrate, or otherwise change for the worse by exposure to the atmosphere
5. 
to pass through safely or survive
to weather a storm
6. 
to slope ( masonry, cornices, sills, etc.) so as to allow water to run off
7.  Nautical
to pass to the windward of (a cape, reef, etc.)
verb intransitive
8. 
to become discolored, disintegrated, etc. by exposure to the weather or atmosphere
9. 
to endure such exposure in a specified manner
canvas that weathers well
adjective
10. 
designating or of the side of a ship, etc. toward the wind; windward
11. 
exposed to the elements
weather deck
Idioms:
make heavy weather of
under the weather
weather through
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME weder < OE, akin to ON vethr, Ger wetter < IE base *we-, *awe-, to blow > wind2, OSlav vedro, fair weather
Word Frequency

weather in American English

(ˈweðər)
noun
1. 
the state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, pressure, etc
2. 
a strong wind or storm or strong winds and storms collectively
We've had some real weather this spring
3. 
a weathercast
The radio announcer will read the weather right after the commercial
4. (usually weathers)
changes or vicissitudes in one's lot or fortunes
She remained a good friend in all weathers
5.  See under the weather
transitive verb
6. 
to expose to the weather; dry, season, or otherwise affect by exposure to the air or atmosphere
to weather lumber before marketing it
7. 
to discolor, disintegrate, or affect injuriously, as by the effects of weather
These crumbling stones have been weathered by the centuries
8. 
to bear up against and come safely through (a storm, danger, trouble, etc.)
to weather a severe illness
9.  Nautical (of a ship, mariner, etc.)
to pass or sail to the windward of
to weather a cape
10. Architecture
to cause to slope, so as to shed water
intransitive verb
11. 
to undergo change, esp. discoloration or disintegration, as the result of exposure to atmospheric conditions
12. 
to endure or resist exposure to the weather
a coat that weathers well
13. (usually fol. by through)
to go or come safely through a storm, danger, trouble, etc
It was a difficult time for her, but she weathered through beautifully
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019 by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
weatherer
noun
Word origin
[bef. 900; ME (n.), OE weder; c. D weder, G Wetter, ON vethr]
Word Frequency

weather in British English

(ˈwɛðə )
noun
1. 
a. 
the day-to-day meteorological conditions, esp temperature, cloudiness, and rainfall, affecting a specific place
Compare climate (sense 1)
b. (modifier)
relating to the forecasting of weather
a weather ship
2. 
a prevailing state or condition
3.  See make heavy weather
4.  See under the weather
adjective
5. (prenominal)
on or at the side or part towards the wind; windward
the weather anchor
Compare lee (sense 4)
verb
6. 
to expose or be exposed to the action of the weather
7. 
to undergo or cause to undergo changes, such as discoloration, due to the action of the weather
8. (intransitive)
to withstand the action of the weather
9. (when intr, foll by through)
to endure (a crisis, danger, etc)
10. (transitive)
to slope (a surface, such as a roof, sill, etc) so as to throw rainwater clear
11. (transitive)
to sail to the windward of
to weather a point
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
weatherer (ˈweatherer)
noun
Word origin
Old English weder; related to Old Saxon wedar, Old High German wetar, Old Norse vethr

Examples of 'weather' in a sentence
weather

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
The shipment was postponed only because of bad weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This week the best chance of dry and bright weather will continue to be over western areas.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Cold weather and the resulting health problems are a real issue.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The harder it is to present an elegant silhouette in clothes and to remain comfortable in warm weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But some people may not be able to adapt to the extra strain hot weather puts on their bodies.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Weather like this made me happy.
The Sun (2017)
Some of the guests sent messages to friends and family saying that they could not leave the hotel due to the weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
According to weather projections, good wind from the southeast will have them flying to the finish.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
THE shops may be full of the joys of spring but the weather is still grey, cold and wet.
The Sun (2017)
This would allow agencies to lower the limit in bad weather or heavy traffic.
The Sun (2012)
We have tall structures which have been constructed and certified for one weather period.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Inevitably the bad weather has affected results.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
When is somebody going to do something about this terrible cold weather?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We weathered the financial crisis extremely well and increased profits last year.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The floor surface may prove hazardous due to adverse weather conditions.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They are most sceptical when the weather is hot.
The Sun (2013)
Cold air and wet weather appear to set it off.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The chamber mimicked the pressure changes in oceans caused by the weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Rain and gloomy weather are thought more likely to increase blood pressure because of stress.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Southern areas can expect drier and warmer weather.
The Sun (2012)
Weather balloons are a vital part of weather forecasting.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Which films to use in your photography will depend on prevailing weather conditions.
Croft, James Corporate Cloak and Dagger (1994)
The miserably wet and cool weather feels more like autumn than the height of the summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The weather was clear and there was no lightning.
The Sun (2015)
Then the weather of his face changed.
Travers, P L What the Bee Knows - reflections on myth, symbol and story (1989)
It had apparently put out its emergency call because of bad weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Wet weather continues to play havoc with the sport.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Two additional reports suggested that companies were well placed to weather the cuts.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The good weather prompted a surge in sales of clothes and shoes as families bought lighter summer items.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The company blamed the weather while pointing out that a hot spell last year had boosted demand for flea collars.
The Sun (2015)
The weather is grey and grim: so are we.
Admiral Sandy Woodward, With Patrick Robinson ONE HUNDRED DAYS (2003)
In areas where weather control has been instituted, he will still be able to see the stars at night.
David Boyle AUTHENTICITY: Brands, Fakes, Spin and the Lust for Real Life (2003)

Quotations

Summer has set in with its usual severitySamuel Taylor Coleridge
weather: the climate of an hourAmbrose BierceThe Devil's Dictionary
Red sky at night, shepherd's delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning

More idioms containing
weather

weather the storm
keep a weather eye on something or someone
make heavy weather of something
under the weather

Related word partners
weather
 

adverse weather
autumn weather
balmy weather
blame the weather
chilly weather
control the weather
extreme weather
foul weather
freak weather
freezing weather
harsh weather
inclement weather
miserable weather
predict the weather
spring weather
stormy weather
summer weather
sunny weather
unsettled weather
weather front
weathered face
wet weather
windy weather
winter weather
wintry weather
withstand the weather

Trends of
weather

View usage over:

In other languages
weather

British English: weather /ˈwɛðə/ NOUN
The weather is the condition of the atmosphere in an area at a particular time, for example, if it is raining, hot, or windy.
The weather was bad.
  • American English: weather /ˈwɛðər/
  • Arabic: طَقْس
  • Brazilian Portuguese: tempo clima
  • Chinese: 天气
  • Croatian: vrijeme
  • Czech: počasí
  • Danish: vejr
  • Dutch: weer
  • European Spanish: tiempo clima
  • Finnish: sää
  • French: temps climat
  • German: Wetter
  • Greek: καιρός μετεωρολογία
  • Italian: tempo
  • Japanese: 天気
  • Korean: 날씨
  • Norwegian: vær
  • Polish: pogoda
  • European Portuguese: tempo clima
  • Romanian: vreme
  • Russian: погода
  • Spanish: tiempo clima
  • Swedish: väder
  • Thai: ลมฟ้าอากาศ
  • Turkish: hava meteoroloji
  • Ukrainian: погода
  • Vietnamese: thời tiết
British English: weather VERB /ˈwɛðə/
If something such as wood or rock weathers or is weathered, it changes colour or shape as a result of the wind, sun, rain, or cold.
Unpainted wooden furniture weathers to a grey colour.
  • American English: weather /ˈwɛðər/
  • Brazilian Portuguese: desgastar pela ação do tempo
  • Chinese: 风化
  • European Spanish: desgastarse
  • French: prendre
  • German: verwittern
  • Italian: modificarsi per effetto delle intemperie
  • Japanese: 色あせる
  • Korean: 색 등이 자연작용에 의해 변화다
  • European Portuguese: desgastar pela ação do tempo
  • Spanish: desgastarse

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weather

  • weasel words
  • weaseller
  • weaselly
  • weather
  • weather a crisis
  • weather a downturn
  • weather balloon

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'W'

Related terms of
weather

  • all-weather
  • bad weather
  • dry weather
  • hot weather
  • icy weather

  • View more related words

Source

Definition of weather from the Collins English Dictionary
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role or roll?

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Both sides have a role to play. Both sides have a roll to play.

creak or creek?

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They were led down a path to a small creak. They were led down a path to a small creek.

advice or advise?

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Take my   and stay away from him!

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He was nine when he picked up a cue for the first time. He was nine when he picked up a queue for the first time.

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paw
pour
He removes a thorn from a lion's  .
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Nov 20, 2021
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all hail
an archaic greeting or salutation
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Scrabble score
for 'weather':
13

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manner or manor?

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She smiled again in a friendly manner. She smiled again in a friendly manor.

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She went to the window and looked out. She went too the window and looked out. She went two the window and looked out.

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She was a close   to the Prime Minister.

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He was also a local  .
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