freezing rain

noun

: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface (such as the ground)

But to Healy's surprise, a glaze of freezing rain began to appear on the windshield.

—Jon Vara

This also explains why the stuff we call freezing rain … falls as a liquid but then turns to a sheet of ice when it strikes the pavement or a tree branch.

—Frederick K. Lutgens et al.

compare hail entry 1, sleet entry 1, snow entry 1

Examples of freezing rain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The odds of snow and freezing rain have increased for the Charlotte region, prompting a Winter Weather Advisory to be put in place from 6 a.m. Wednesday through noon Thursday, the National Weather Service says. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 18 Feb. 2025

The incident comes after a weekend storm that brought snow, sleet and freezing rain to the state. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2025

In the Northeast, sleet and freezing rain may occur, affecting driving conditions and possibly creating power outages. —Joel Shannon, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025

Ice and freezing rain could create treacherous travel conditions across the lower Midwest and parts of the Northeast. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

freezing rain

noun

: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface (as the ground)