Condensation: Meaning, Examples, and Key Facts

Meaning 1：vapor turning into liquid (condensation)

condensation 🔊

/ˌkɒndenˈseɪʃən/

The process where gas, like water vapor in the air, turns into tiny liquid drops when it gets cold.

Condensation on a cold glass of lemonade with water droplets

vapor turning into liquid 🔊

➕

/ˈveɪpər ˈtɜːnɪŋ ˈɪntuː ˈlɪkwɪd/

Condensation refers to the physical process by which a gaseous substance, such as water vapor, changes its state to a liquid when cooled or compressed.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'condensare' (con- 'together' + densare 'to make thick').

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'con-dense' → together dense → gas becomes dense liquid.

📖 Example

On cold mornings, you can see condensation forming on the inside of the window glass. 🔊 On cold mornings, you can see condensation forming on the inside of the window glass.

🔗 Collocations

water vapor condensation – the process of water vapor turning into liquid

condensation point – the temperature at which a gas condenses into a liquid

condensation process – the sequence of changes that occurs when gas becomes liquid

🔄 Synonyms

liquefaction (n.) – the process of making or becoming liquid

precipitation (n.) – water that falls to the earth from the atmosphere (often from condensation)

🚫 Antonyms

evaporation (n.) – the process of a liquid turning into vapor

vaporization (n.) – the process of a substance changing from liquid to gas

🌱 Derivatives

condense (v.) – to make or become more concentrated or to change from gas to liquid

condenser (n.) – a device or apparatus that condenses vapor into liquid

condensate (n.) – the liquid product of condensation

📖 Cultural Story

Condensation comes from Latin 'condensare', used in alchemy and later in physics. It's essential in the water cycle for cloud formation.