anticyclone

noun

an·​ti·​cy·​clone ˌan-ti-ˈsī-ˌklōn How to pronounce anticyclone (audio)
1
: a system of winds that rotates about a center of high atmospheric pressure clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern, that usually advances at 20 to 30 miles (about 30 to 50 kilometers) per hour, and that usually has a diameter of 1500 to 2500 miles (2400 to 4000 kilometers)
2
anticyclonic adjective

Examples of anticyclone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The countries are feeling the force of the same anticyclone. Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 14 July 2023 The culprit was a high-pressure anticyclone dubbed Cerberus, the multi-headed dog that guards gates to the underworld in Greek mythology. Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2023 Spokesman Rubén del Campo said an anticyclone is pushing a hot mass of air from Africa towards Spain and other Mediterranean countries. Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2023 Another round of high temperatures, part of the heat wave caused by an African anticyclone, is expected in the coming days, with peaks of 48 degrees Celsius, or 118 degrees Fahrenheit, or more. Gaia Pianigiani, New York Times, 14 July 2023 At the time of writing, the next anticyclone, expected in the coming days, threatens to force temperatures to as high as 43 degrees Celsius in Rome, which would be a record. Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 14 July 2023 The white white ovals beneath and behind Ganymede are anticyclones—smaller versions of the Great Red Spot. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023 City officials say a high-pressure weather system—called an anticyclone—that’s hovering over western Europe is causing the low tide. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023 An anticyclone has been dominating the weather in western Europe for 15 days, bringing mild temperatures more normally seen in late spring. Reuters, CNN, 21 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anticyclone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anticyclone was in 1862

Dictionary Entries Near anticyclone

Cite this Entry

“Anticyclone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticyclone. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

anticyclone

noun
an·​ti·​cy·​clone ˌant-i-ˈsī-ˌklōn How to pronounce anticyclone (audio)
: a system of winds that rotates about a center of high atmospheric pressure clockwise in the northern hemisphere, that usually advances at 20 to 30 miles (about 30 to 50 kilometers) per hour, and that usually has a diameter of 1500 to 2500 miles (about 2400 to 4000 kilometers)
anticyclonic adjective
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