weathering
What is the opposite of weathering? Here is what we hold, with its meaning and related words.
Noun — The breaking down of rock, soil and building materials where they lie, caused by rain, frost, wind, heat and chemical reactions with air and water.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The breaking down of rock, soil and building materials where they lie, caused by rain, frost, wind, heat and chemical reactions with air and water.
“Frost weathering split the cliff face along its joints.”
How to use weathering
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
chemical weathering
physical weathering
frost weathering
weathering and erosion
weathering the storm
A core geography and geology term; the verb sense is common in business and news writing.
Etymology
From Middle English wederyng, equivalent to weather + -ing.
Full origin of weathering →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
Weathering breaks rock apart where it sits, with no transport involved. Erosion is the removal of the loosened material by water, ice, wind or gravity. Weathering usually happens first and erosion clears up after it.
What are the main types of weathering?
Physical, which cracks rock apart through frost, heat or pressure release; chemical, in which water and acids dissolve or alter the minerals; and biological, where roots, burrowing animals and lichens do the damage.
