breeze

Breeze is commonly used to describe a light, refreshing wind. In everyday speech it refers to wind that is perceptible but gentle, enough to feel on the skin and move leaves or fabric but not strong enough to be felt as a forceful gust.

In meteorology breezes arise from differential heating of land and sea or of elevated terrain and the surrounding air. A sea breeze forms when daytime heating over the land creates an onshore flow from sea to land; a land breeze occurs when cooler air over land moves toward the sea during nighttime conditions. Similar processes produce valley breezes, which develop along sunlit valleys, and mountain or downslope breezes, which flow downslope as cool air moves away from higher elevations.

Breezes influence local climate and microclimates, contribute to natural ventilation in buildings, and affect activities such as sailing and aviation. They can moderate temperatures, help disperse pollutants, and contribute to comfortable outdoor conditions in coastal and mountainous regions.

Beyond weather, Breeze is used as a proper noun in various brands and places. Breeze Airways, an American airline founded in 2021, is one notable example. The term also appears in product names, geographic designations, and fictional works, reflecting the cultural association of a breeze with ease, freshness, and movement.