dew point

noun

: the temperature at which a vapor (such as water) begins or would begin to condense

Examples of dew point in a Sentence

It's 78° outside and the dew point is 63°.
Recent Examples on the Web As the skies clear, solar energy exits the earth, allowing temperatures to cool near or at the dew point. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 25 Jan. 2024 The air remains very dry with dew points in the 20s. Matt Rogers, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2024 High temperatures range through the mid- to upper 40s (with dew points down near 20). Matt Rogers, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2024 However, dew points — a measure of humidity — are forecast to reach the mild 50s on Thursday. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 24 Jan. 2024 Frost forms when that air becomes supersaturated, the excess water vapor is deposited as seed crystals on various surfaces, and the air temperature drops below the dew point. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023 With dew points into the single digits, lows end up in the teens to low 20s most spots. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2024 The short list of five words has wide-reaching weather data—air temperature, barometric pressure, dew point, precipitation, wind direction, cloud conditions, wind velocity and sunset observations—all baked into it. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024 Dry air will replace the humidity on Thursday with lower dew points and sunshine. Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dew point.' 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

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dew point was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near dew point

Cite this Entry

“Dew point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dew%20point. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dew point

noun
: the temperature at which the moisture in the air begins or would begin to collect on surfaces

More from Merriam-Webster on dew point

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