Definition

A seasonal wind system that brings massive amounts of rain to tropical and subtropical regions, most famously affecting South Asia and characterized by dramatic reversals in wind direction between seasons.

Example Usage

The summer monsoon rains flooded the streets of Mumbai, as they do every year during this predictable seasonal shift.

Origin

From Arabic 'mawsim' meaning 'season,' specifically the season of seasonal winds in the Indian Ocean.

Fun Fact

Monsoons are responsible for the majority of Earth's rainfall and have shaped the agriculture, architecture, and culture of millions of people for millennia.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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