land breeze

noun

a coastal breeze blowing at night from land to sea, caused by the difference in the rate of cooling of their respective surfaces.

land breeze

The breeze that blows from the land toward the sea after sunset. The land cools more quickly than the ocean, cooling the air above it. The warmer air above the water continues to rise, and cooler air from over the land replaces it, creating a breeze. ( Compare sea breeze .)

First recorded in 1660–70

How does land breeze compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Our progress was slow; at times, although the sail filled with the rising land breeze, we scarcely seemed to move at all.

The land-breeze is always freshest close in, provided you are not so near as to make a lee of the trees.

Now, down among the West India Islands, one is just as certain of having a land-breeze as he is of having a sea-breeze.

At that instant the first puffs of the land breeze were felt, and the stern of the ship made a gentle inclination seaward.

There was a hot land breeze; I sailed out into the bay and cruised north along the coves which I have wired.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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