monsoon

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun a seasonal wind in southern Asia; blows from the southwest (bringing rain) in summer and from the northeast in winter
noun rainy season in southern Asia when the southwestern monsoon blows, bringing heavy rains
noun any wind that changes direction with the seasons

From Portuguese monção and Dutch moesson, from Arabic مَوْسِم (mawsim, “season”), from وَسَمَ (wasama, “to mark, to brand”).

This wind was the south-west monsoon. — The Anabasis of Alexander : $b or, The history of the wars and conquests of Alexander the Great, Arrian
The approach of a monsoon is most effectively described.... — Robert Orange: Being a Continuation of the History of Robert Orange, John Oliver Hobbes
He sailed with the monsoon, but had to steam back against it. — Black Ivory, R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

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