Millibar Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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millibar

[ˈmɪlɪˌbɑː ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

unit of pressure

A millibar is a unit of pressure equal to one thousandth of a bar, or 100 pascals. It is commonly used in meteorology to measure atmospheric pressure.

Examples of usage

  • The atmospheric pressure is currently 1013 millibars.
  • The storm caused a drop in pressure to 980 millibars.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Science

  • One millibar is equivalent to 0.1 kPa (kilopascal), offering an effective metric for describing atmospheric conditions.
  • Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is about 1013.25 millibars, serving as a baseline in weather reporting.

Meteorology

  • Meteorologists use millibars to track weather changes and predict storms, vital for public safety.
  • When air pressure drops significantly, it often indicates approaching storms or bad weather.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and books, weather changes can be dramatized by referencing shifts in pressure, like sudden drops in millibars before a storm.
  • Millibar references can sometimes appear in video games, emphasizing fake weather systems and immersive environments.

History

  • The concept of measuring atmospheric pressure dates back to the invention of the barometer in the 17th century.
  • Adoption of the millibar in weather reporting became common worldwide in the mid-20th century, standardizing communication among meteorologists.

Origin of 'millibar'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'millibar' comes from 'milli', meaning one-thousandth, and 'bar', derived from Greek, meaning weight.
  • It was first introduced in the early 20th century as meteorologists needed a more precise way to measure atmospheric pressure.

The term millibar originated in the early 20th century as a convenient unit of pressure measurement. It was introduced as part of the metric system and has since become widely used in meteorology and other scientific fields. The millibar is derived from the bar, which itself is named after the Greek word 'baros' meaning weight or pressure. Over the years, the millibar has become a standard unit of pressure measurement, particularly in weather forecasting and aviation.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,124, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.