noun

meteorology

/ˌmiːtiəˈrɒlədʒi/ · say it: mee·teer·AHL·uh·jee

the scientific study of weather

In Science & Nature

In more detail

the science that studies weather, climate, and the atmosphere

Examples

She studied meteorology in college and now works as a weather forecaster.

How to use meteorology

Meteorology is a formal, technical term for the scientific discipline concerned with atmospheric phenomena and weather prediction. It is used in academic, professional, and educational contexts to refer to both the field of study and its practitioners. The term emphasizes the systematic, scientific approach to understanding weather rather than casual weather observation.

Common phrases

study meteorology
meteorology department
applied meteorology
meteorological research
meteorology student

Synonyms

atmospheric science · weather science

Word family

meteorologist (noun) · meteorological (adjective) · meteorologically (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse meteorology with meteoritics (the study of meteorites) or astrology (which is not a science). Meteorology deals with Earth's atmosphere and weather, not celestial bodies or fortune-telling.

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