TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
HECTOPASCAL [1 record]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2003-10-31
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Metrology and Units of Measure
- Meteorology
- Air Transport
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- hectopascal
1, record 1, English, hectopascal
correct, see observation, officially approved
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
- hPa 2, record 1, English, hPa
correct, see observation, officially approved
- HP 3, record 1, English, HP
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- millibar 4, record 1, English, millibar
correct, see observation, obsolete
- mb 4, record 1, English, mb
correct, see observation, obsolete
- mbar 5, record 1, English, mbar
obsolete
- mb 4, record 1, English, mb
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
hectopascal: Unit of pressure in the SI system, equal to 102 Pa. 6, record 1, English, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Atmospheric pressure is measured in two units, hectopascals (hPa) and inches of mercury (Hg). The hectopascal is the international unit of measure for atmospheric pressure and inches of mercury are used in the U.S. for aviation purposes. 7, record 1, English, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 CONT
In the U.S., air pressure at the surface is reported in inches of mercury while air pressure aloft is reported in millibars, also known as hectopascals (hPa). Scientists, however, generally use pressures in hectopascals. In the rest of the world, measurements are usually given in hectopascals although you will sometimes see them in centimeters of mercury, especially on older barometers. The term "hectopascals" is replacing the term "millibars." 8, record 1, English, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A millibar is 1000 dynes per square centimeter, or 100 pascal (Pa). Surface pressure averages around 1013 millibars. 9, record 1, English, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
[The] hectopascal ... is equivalent to one millibar in the CGS system. 6, record 1, English, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 3 OBS
hectopascal; hPa: term and abbreviation officially approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 10, record 1, English, - hectopascal
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Unités de mesure et métrologie
- Météorologie
- Transport aérien
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- hectopascal
1, record 1, French, hectopascal
correct, see observation, masculine noun, officially approved
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
- hPa 2, record 1, French, hPa
correct, see observation, masculine noun, officially approved
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- millibar 3, record 1, French, millibar
correct, see observation, masculine noun, obsolete, officially approved
- mb 4, record 1, French, mb
correct, see observation, masculine noun, obsolete, officially approved
- mbar 5, record 1, French, mbar
see observation, masculine noun, obsolete
- mb 4, record 1, French, mb
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Unité de mesure de la pression atmosphérique (symb. : hPa), valant cent pascals (et équivalant au millibar). 6, record 1, French, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
L'unité légale de mesure de la pression, dans le système international, est le PASCAL (N/m²) ainsi que ses multiples et sous-multiples. [...] Une unité souvent employée est le millibar, sous-multiple du bar (système MTS), ainsi que le torr ou millimètre de mercure, unité ancienne rencontrée. Les météorologistes sont passés du millibar à l'hectopascal. 1 torr (mm Hg) = 133 Pa; 1 mbar = 100 Pa = 1 hPa. 7, record 1, French, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
millibar : Ancienne unité de pression [atmosphérique] valant un millième de bar, remplacée [officiellement depuis 1986] par l'hectopascal. 8, record 1, French, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Un millibar (mbar) vaut 10-3 bar, soit 10³, soit 0,750062 mm de mercure normal. 9, record 1, French, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 3 OBS
L'hectopascal [...] est l'équivalent d'un millibar dans le système CGS. 10, record 1, French, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 4 OBS
millibar, mb : terme et abréviation uniformisés par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie aéronautique (CUTA) - Opérations aériennes. 11, record 1, French, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 5 OBS
hectopascal; hPa : terme et abréviation uniformisés par l'Organisation de l'aviation civile internationale (OACI). 12, record 1, French, - hectopascal
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Metrología y unidades de medida
- Meteorología
- Transporte aéreo
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- hectopascal
1, record 1, Spanish, hectopascal
correct, masculine noun, officially approved
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
- hPa 2, record 1, Spanish, hPa
correct, masculine noun, officially approved
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Unidad de presión del sistema SI, igual a 102 Pa. 3, record 1, Spanish, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
hectopascal: Equivale a un milibar en el sistema CGS. 3, record 1, Spanish, - hectopascal
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 OBS
hectopascal; hPa: término y abreviatura aceptados oficialmente por la Organización de Aviación Civil Internacional (OACI). 4, record 1, Spanish, - hectopascal
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: