cloud seeding: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “cloud seeding” mean?
The deliberate introduction of substances into clouds to induce precipitation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The deliberate introduction of substances into clouds to induce precipitation.
Any artificial intervention aimed at modifying weather patterns, particularly to increase rainfall or snowfall; metaphorically, any attempt to initiate or accelerate a natural process through external intervention.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept and term are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both. May carry slight negative connotations related to 'geoengineering' or 'weather manipulation' in public discourse.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both, appearing primarily in scientific, environmental, and news contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cloud seeding” in a Sentence
[Subject] conducted cloud seeding over [Location].[Location] employs cloud seeding to combat [Problem].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cloud seeding” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The authorities decided to seed the clouds ahead of the bank holiday.
- Scientists have been seeding clouds over the catchment area.
American English
- The state plans to seed clouds to replenish reservoirs.
- They seeded the clouds with silver iodide particles.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard. Typically not used as an adverb.]
American English
- [Not standard. Typically not used as an adverb.]
adjective
British English
- The cloud-seeding operation was deemed a partial success.
- They reviewed the cloud-seeding programme's efficacy.
American English
- The cloud-seeding aircraft took off at dawn.
- Cloud-seeding technology is constantly evolving.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in industries like agriculture, water resource management, or aviation where weather impacts operations.
Academic
Common in environmental science, geography, and meteorology papers discussing climate intervention techniques.
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in news reports about droughts or unusual weather events.
Technical
The primary context. Used precisely in meteorology, hydrology, and geoengineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cloud seeding”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cloud seeding”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cloud seeding”
- Using 'cloud *seeding*' as a verb for the action ('They are cloud seeding') is less common than using it as a noun ('They use cloud seeding'). Confusing it with general 'weather control'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its effectiveness is debated. While it can trigger precipitation under specific atmospheric conditions, measuring its net increase over natural rainfall is scientifically challenging.
Common seeding agents include silver iodide, potassium iodide, dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), and sometimes table salt (sodium chloride), depending on the cloud temperature and type.
The environmental impact is a subject of ongoing research. The chemicals used are in very small quantities, but long-term ecological effects, particularly of silver iodide, are not fully understood.
It is practised in various countries including China, the United States (particularly western states like California and Wyoming), the UAE, Russia, and Thailand, often for drought relief, hail suppression, or to increase snowpack.
The deliberate introduction of substances into clouds to induce precipitation.
Cloud seeding is usually technical/scientific in register.
Cloud seeding: in British English it is pronounced /klaʊd ˈsiːdɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /klaʊd ˈsidɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not applicable for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a farmer SEEDING a field to grow crops. Cloud seeding 'plants' chemicals in clouds to 'grow' rain or snow.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOUDS ARE FIELDS (that can be seeded); WEATHER IS A MACHINE (that can be manipulated).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of cloud seeding?