monsoon
pronunciation
How to pronounce monsoon in British English:
UK [ˌmɒnˈsuːn]
How to pronounce monsoon in American English:
US [ˌmɑːnˈsuːn]
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- Noun:
- a seasonal wind in southern Asia; blows from the southwest (bringing rain) in summer and from the northeast in winter
- rainy season in southern Asia when the southwestern monsoon blows, bringing heavy rains
- any wind that changes direction with the seasons
Word Origin
- monsoon (n.)
- 1580s, "trade wind of the Indian Ocean," from Dutch monssoen, from Portuguese monçao, from Arabic mawsim "time of year, appropriate season" (for a voyage, pilgrimage, etc.), from wasama "he marked." When it blows from the southwest (April through October) it brings heavy rain, hence "heavy episode of rainfall during the rainy season" (1747).
Example
- 1. Thailand 's monsoon generally lasts from mid-may to september .
- 2. Food prices may rise because of a poor monsoon .
- 3. A weak monsoon also threatens this year 's production .
- 4. There was a poor monsoon , hurting farmers .
- 5. Another problem is the monsoon .