1 stratocumulus | Definition of stratocumulus
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stratocumulus

noun
stra·​to·​cu·​mu·​lus | \ ˌstrā-tō-ˈkyü-myə-ləs How to pronounce stratocumulus (audio) , ˌstra-\

Definition of stratocumulus

: stratified low cumulus consisting of large balls or rolls of dark cloud which often cover the whole sky especially in winter — see cloud illustration
What Does a stratocumulus Cloud Look Like? Example Sentences Learn More about stratocumulus

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What Does a stratocumulus Cloud Look Like?

When a cloud type forms a broad "layer" over the earth, the strat- root shows up in its scientific name. The type called simply stratus forms a low layer of gray extending over a large area. Cirrostratus ("curl layer") clouds form a high, thin layer often covering the entire sky (but without the wispy curls of ice crystals that give pure cirrus clouds their name). Altostratus ("high layer") clouds form a darkish gray mid-altitude layer. Nimbostratus ("rainstorm layer") clouds form a low, dark layer of gray cloud that usually produces light but continuous rain, snow, or sleet (but not violent storms of the kind that give pure nimbus clouds their name). Cumulus ("heap") is the familiar puffy fair-weather type of cloud; stratocumulus is its more wintry version, which spreads out in a fairly flat layer, much less "heaped up", and sometimes dense enough to cover almost the whole sky.

Examples of stratocumulus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Low clouds fall into four divisions: cumulus, stratus, cumulonimbus, and stratocumulus. — Catherine Zuckerman, National Geographic, "Clouds, explained," 24 Apr. 2019 Within the lenticular category itself, there are several types: Altocumulus standing lenticular, stratocumulus standing lenticular and cirrocumulus standing lenticular. — Kathryn Prociv, Washington Post, "Pic of the week: Flying-saucer cloud ‘lands’ on Mount Hood," 16 Feb. 2018 Clouds come in all shapes and sizes: wispy, high cirrus, puffy cumulus, the low, gray stratocumulus layers that blanket gloomy days. — Kate Marvel, Scientific American, "Will Changing Cloud Cover Accelerate Global Warming?," 8 Dec. 2017 Low clouds fall into four divisions: cumulus, stratus, cumulonimbus, and stratocumulus. — Catherine Zuckerman, National Geographic, "Clouds, explained," 24 Apr. 2019 Clouds come in all shapes and sizes: wispy, high cirrus, puffy cumulus, the low, gray stratocumulus layers that blanket gloomy days. — Kate Marvel, Scientific American, "Will Changing Cloud Cover Accelerate Global Warming?," 8 Dec. 2017 Within the lenticular category itself, there are several types: Altocumulus standing lenticular, stratocumulus standing lenticular and cirrocumulus standing lenticular. — Kathryn Prociv, Washington Post, "Pic of the week: Flying-saucer cloud ‘lands’ on Mount Hood," 16 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stratocumulus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of stratocumulus

1845, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for stratocumulus

New Latin

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More from Merriam-Webster on stratocumulus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stratocumulus

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