C1nounsciencenature
US/ˈweð.ər.ɪŋ/
UK/ˈweð.ər.ɪŋ/
the slow breaking down of rock by rain, wind, ice and heat
In context
Weathering slowly turns large rocks into small pieces and soil.
Frost can speed up weathering when water freezes in cracks.
The statue shows clear signs of weathering after two hundred years outdoors.
Words that go with weathering
adjective + noun
- chemical weatheringChemical weathering is faster in warm, wet climates.
- physical weatheringPhysical weathering breaks rock without changing it chemically.
noun + preposition
- process of weatheringThe process of weathering takes thousands of years.
- effects of weatheringThe effects of weathering are easy to see on old stone.
- signs of weatheringThe wall shows signs of weathering.