What defines a 'monsoon' in meteorological terms?

A monsoon is primarily defined by seasonal changes in wind direction, which are driven by differences in temperature between land and ocean. During the summer months, the land heats up more quickly than the sea, resulting in a pressure difference that causes moist air from the ocean to flow toward the land. This process typically brings heavy rainfall to the affected regions, especially in South Asia, but the defining feature of a monsoon is the seasonal shift in wind patterns rather than just the precipitation itself.

While options related to the characteristics of permanent winds or constant heavy rainfall may describe some effects of monsoon systems, they do not encapsulate the comprehensive definition. The essence of a monsoon system lies in its seasonal nature and the prevailing wind changes associated with temperature gradients between land and ocean surfaces.