Monsoon

A monsoon () is traditionally a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with annual latitudinal oscillation of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, specifically between its limits to the north and south of the equator.

Usually, the term monsoon is used to refer to the rainy phase of a seasonally changing pattern, although technically there is a dry phase. The term is also used to describe locally heavy but short-term rains.

The major monsoon systems of the world consist of the West African, South Asian–Australian, North American, and South American monsoons.

The term was first used in English in British India and neighbouring countries, referring to big seasonal winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea in the southwest that brought heavy rainfall to the area.