Plain English Meaning
The way air moves around the planet in regular patterns because the sun heats some areas more than others and the Earth is spinning.
Full Definition
The large-scale movement of air around the Earth, driven by uneven solar heating between the equator and the poles and modified by the Earth's rotation. Warm air rises near the equator and flows toward the poles, while cooler air sinks and flows back toward the equator, creating predictable patterns of wind and pressure across the globe.
Context Anchor
Seen in weather study when learning why winds form, why weather systems move, and why conditions differ from one region to another.
Derivation
From Latin 'circulare' meaning 'to move in a circle.' The term captures the idea that air does not just move randomly — it follows looping, repeating patterns on a global scale.