microclimate

noun

mi·​cro·​cli·​mate ˈmī-krō-ˌklī-mət How to pronounce microclimate (audio)
: the essentially uniform local climate of a usually small site or habitat
microclimatic adjective

Did you know?

The microclimate of an industrial park may be quite different from that of a nearby wooded park, since the plants absorb light and heat while asphalt parking lots and rooftops radiate them back into the air. A microclimate can offer a small growing area for crops that wouldn't do well in the wider region, so skilled gardeners take advantage of microclimates by carefully choosing and positioning their plants. San Francisco's hills, oceanfront, and bay shore, along with its alternating areas of concrete and greenery, make it a city of microclimates.

Examples of microclimate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shrubs are excellent nurse plants, creating microclimates that help facilitate the successful growth of forbs, grasses, vines, and succulents. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 How Late Can You Plant Bulbs There’s no simple answer because weather is variable, and microclimates, or areas of different growing conditions in your garden, can affect bulb performance. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024 The beauty and abundance of shrublands in the West are packed with inspiration throughout its diverse topography, geology, hydrology and microclimates. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 Identify plants that struggled in your microclimate and should be avoided in future years? Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for microclimate 

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of microclimate was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near microclimate

Cite this Entry

“Microclimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microclimate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on microclimate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!