A "general circulation model" is a type of computer program used to simulate atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns over large areas. There are several synonyms for this term, including climate model, global circulation model, and numerical weather prediction model. Climate models are used to study long-term trends in temperature, precipitation, and other climate variables, while numerical weather prediction models are used to forecast the weather in the short-term. Global circulation models, as the name suggests, take into account the circulation patterns of both atmosphere and ocean to provide a comprehensive picture of the Earth's climate system. Regardless of the specific terminology used, these models are critical tools for understanding and predicting climate patterns and their impacts on human society.