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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the northern part of the state, 1-2 inches of snow are expected in most areas before changing to freezing rain or regular rain, according to the NWS office in Gaylord. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025 Environment Canada issued winter storm warnings for freezing rain in Ottawa, parts of Quebec and Ontario, with the risk of snow mixed with or transitioning to ice pellets expected to continue until Monday morning in some regions. Reuters, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025 What To Know An ice storm warning has been issued for parts of Michigan and Wisconsin, with freezing rain, snow, and sleet expected to create treacherous road conditions, cause widespread power outages, and snap tree limbs. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025 Meteorologist Tyler Roys told Newsweek that a stretch from upstate New York through Vermont, New Hampshire, and southern Maine is expected to see poor conditions Saturday morning due to a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and sleet. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for freezing rain

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of freezing rain was in 1672

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Cite this Entry

“Freezing rain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freezing%20rain. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

freezing rain

noun
: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface (as the ground)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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