winter

1 of 3

noun

win·​ter ˈwin-tər 

1

: the season between autumn and spring comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of December, January, and February or as reckoned astronomically extending from the December solstice to the March equinox

2

: the colder half of the year

3

: year

happened many winters ago

4

: a period of inactivity or decay

winter

2 of 3

verb

wintered; wintering ˈwin-t(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to pass the winter

winters in the Caribbean

2

: to feed or find food during the winter

—used with on

transitive verb

: to keep, feed, or manage during the winter

winter

3 of 3

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or suitable for winter

a winter vacation

winter clothes

2

: sown in the autumn and harvested in the following spring or summer

winter wheat

winter rye

compare summer

Synonyms

Noun

• downtime
• layoff
• time-out

Examples of winter in a Sentence

Noun

They spend winters in Florida.

We're in for a cold winter this year, I hear.

She traveled there two winters ago.

the last day of winter

Verb

The birds will winter in the southern part of the country.

My family winters in Florida.

The farm agreed to winter our horses for us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In winter, the population swells as snowbirds flock south and grateful tourists soak up the sunshine and Rat Pack nostalgia. —Freda Moon, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024

However, some cats don't realize the grass isn't always greener on the other side, especially in frigid winter temperatures and snowy backyards. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024

Verb

Anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies, frequently gets colds or deals with seasonal affective disorder can find a product on this list that can help make fall and winter a little more enjoyable. —Christopher Murray, Fox News, 3 Sep. 2024

The dominant tribe in Central Texas, the Tonkawa wintered east and south of the Balcones Fault. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Aug. 2024

Adjective

Winter weather in North Dakota, Minnesota People in northern North Dakota and Minnesota can expect to see snow with some winter advisories in effect through Friday night. —Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2023

Though convention might tell us to spruce and upgrade our space in the spring (alongside a feverish amount of post-winter cleaning), there is a case to be made for elevating your home right now, mid-fall and pre-holidays. —PEOPLE.com, 16 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wintar winter and perhaps to Lithuanian vanduo water, Old English wæter — more at water

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing winter

• dead of winter
• nuclear winter
• the depth of winter
• winter aconite
• winter crookneck
• winter flounder
• winter-kill
• winter melon
• winter quarters
• winter savory
• winter sport
• winter squash

Kids Definition

winter

1 of 3 noun

win·​ter ˈwint-ər 

1

: the season between autumn and spring usually including in the northern half of the globe the months of December, January, and February

2

: year sense 2

happened many winters ago

3

: a time or season of idleness or decay

winter

2 of 3 verb

wintered; wintering ˈwint-ə-riŋ 

ˈwin-triŋ

1

: to pass or live through the winter

the cattle wintered on the range

2

: to keep, feed, or manage during the winter

winter livestock

winter

3 of 3 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or suitable for winter

winter clothes

2

: sown in autumn and harvested in the following spring or summer

winter wheat