weather strip: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Everyday (in DIY/home improvement contexts)
Quick answer
What does “weather strip” mean?
A narrow strip of material (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A narrow strip of material (e.g., rubber, metal, felt) attached to the edges of doors or windows to seal gaps and prevent drafts, rain, or dust from entering.
The act of installing such material; also used as a verb ('to weather-strip') meaning to apply these strips. Can refer to the broader concept of draught-proofing a building.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'draught excluder' or 'draught strip' are common alternatives, though 'weather strip' is understood. In American English, 'weather stripping' (as a mass noun) is the overwhelmingly dominant term for the material.
Connotations
In the UK, the term may sound slightly more technical or American. In the US, it is the standard, neutral term.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English. In UK corpus data, 'draught excluder' and 'draught proofing' are more common for the same concept.
Grammar
How to Use “weather strip” in a Sentence
[install/replace/apply] + weather strip + [on/around] + [door/window]The + [door/window] + [has/needs] + [a/some] weather strip.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “weather strip” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to weather-strip the back door before winter sets in.
- I spent the afternoon weather-stripping the old sash windows.
American English
- We should weatherstrip the garage door.
- He weatherstripped the entire house to improve its energy rating.
adverb
British English
- [Not standardly used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not standardly used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The weather-strip material was self-adhesive.
- Check the weather-strip channel for damage.
American English
- The weatherstrip tape is sold in ten-foot rolls.
- We bought new weatherstrip kits for all the windows.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the building supplies, hardware, and home improvement industries in product descriptions and sales.
Academic
Rare; might appear in papers on building physics, energy efficiency, or sustainable architecture.
Everyday
Common in discussions about home maintenance, DIY projects, saving on heating bills, or preparing for winter.
Technical
Standard term in construction, carpentry, and glazing for describing components of window and door assemblies.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “weather strip”
- Using 'weather stripe' (incorrect spelling).
- Using it as an uncountable noun in UK English (where 'draught excluder' is countable).
- Confusing it with 'caulk' or 'sealant', which are paste-like materials for different gaps.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun, it is most commonly written as two words ('weather strip') or hyphenated ('weather-strip'). The verb is usually hyphenated ('to weather-strip') or written as one word ('weatherstrip'), especially in American English.
A weather strip is a narrow, flexible strip (of rubber, foam, etc.) applied to moving parts like doors and windows. Caulk is a viscous sealant applied from a tube to fill and seal static cracks or joints, like where a window frame meets a wall.
Typically, no. Weather strips are designed for exterior doors and windows to block outdoor elements. For interior doors, you might use a 'door sweep' or 'draught excluder' at the bottom to block light or sound, but not specifically a 'weather strip'.
It depends on the material and exposure. Foam strips may last 1-3 years, vinyl 5-10 years, and metal or silicone can last 10+ years. They degrade from UV exposure, temperature cycles, and physical wear.
A narrow strip of material (e.
Weather strip is usually technical/everyday (in diy/home improvement contexts) in register.
Weather strip: in British English it is pronounced /ˈweðə strɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈweðər strɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'WEATHER tries to STRIP into my house, but the WEATHER STRIP stops it.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A BARRIER or SHIELD against the elements.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common American English term for the material used to seal gaps around windows?