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.
Sleet and freezing rain were ongoing in the region at the time, weather observations show. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025 The heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain hitting parts of the Deep South came as a blast of Arctic air plunged much of the Midwest and the eastern U.S. into a deep freeze. CBS News, 22 Jan. 2025 Arctic air is contributing to a rare winter storm across the South that has dumped almost 10 inches of snow on New Orleans, and continues to cause havoc with snow, sleet and freezing rain as officials are warning residents to stay off the roads. NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025 Kershaw said the city also needs to adjust to changing winter weather conditions that include an increase of rain and freezing rain, as well as larger temperature swings throughout the season, which can create more ice. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near freezing rain

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

freezing rain

noun
: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface (as the ground)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!