absolute humidity

In a system of moist air, the ratio of the mass of water vapor present to the volume occupied by the mixture, that is, the density of the water vapor component. Absolute humidity is usually expressed in grams of water vapor per cubic meter or, in engineering practice, in grains per cubic foot. Because this measure of atmospheric humidity is not conservative with respect to adiabatic expansion or compression, it is not commonly used by meteorologists. (Also called vapor concentration and vapor density). See relative humidity.