noun

1. the prevailing or average weather conditions of a place, as determined by the temperature and meteorological changes over a period of years
2. any prevailing conditions affecting life, activity, etc. a favorable climate of opinion
3. a region with certain prevailing weather conditions to move to a warmer climate

Etymology: ME climat < OFr < LL clima < Gr klima, region, zone < base of klinein, to slope (see incline): orig., slope of the earth from the equator toward the poles