weathering
v.to break down or wear away a surface over a long time because of the weather. It is often used to describe how rocks or buildings change because of rain, wind, or heat.
v.to undergo the gradual wearing away or decomposition of a surface or structure caused by exposure to the elements. Often used in geological or architectural contexts to describe the physical effects of erosion.
“The stone walls are weathering badly after years of rain.”
“The ancient temple is weathering due to the constant exposure to the salty sea air and strong coastal winds.”
“Geologists study the weathering of rock formations to understand how the landscape has changed over millions of years, providing clues about the planet's past climate conditions.”
“Geoscientists have long recognized that weathering of silicate rocks naturally removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”
“Over time, the increased breaking down of rocks in the warmer climate, known as weathering, gradually pulled carbon from the air , storing it in marine sediments.”
From Middle English wederyng, equivalent to weather + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.