the condition of the air outside at a particular time, including temperature, sunshine, rain, wind, and other factors
The weather was sunny and warm, so the family had a picnic in the park.
According to the forecast, cold weather will arrive tonight.
✦ Old English ‘weder’ meaning ‘air, sky, storm, wind’, of Germanic origin.
to gradually change in color, shape, or surface because of exposure to sun, wind, rain, or other outdoor conditions
The wooden fence has weathered to a soft gray over the years.
Stone statues weather slowly when they stand in salty sea air.
✦ Extension of the noun sense: surfaces change because of the action of weather.
to survive or successfully deal with a difficult or dangerous situation
The small company weathered the economic crisis by cutting costs and innovating.
The sailors weathered the fierce storm and reached the port safely.
✦ Figurative use from earlier nautical sense of ‘come safely through bad weather’.
located on or toward the side from which the wind is blowing, especially on a ship
The captain ordered everyone to move to the weather side of the deck.
Cargo was secured on the weather rail to balance the vessel.
✦ From nautical use of noun ‘weather’ meaning ‘windward direction’ (17th century).
