av·a·lanche
ˈa-və-ˌlanch 
1
: a large mass of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other material in swift motion down a mountainside or over a precipice
2
: a sudden great or overwhelming rush or accumulation of something
hit by an avalanche of paperwork
3
physics
: a cumulative process in which photons or accelerated charge carriers produce additional photons or charge carriers through collisions (as with gas molecules)
Examples of avalanche in a Sentence
Noun
He was buried by an avalanche.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Menickella, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Each tool hangs precariously on a nailhead, and one wrong move can lead to a dangerous avalanche of rakes and shovels.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
Michael C Grant, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
James and the Lakers were getting avalanched, but a run to undo a 17-point deficit got them to within a point before the Memphis Grizzlies smothered them with a barrage of baskets.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for avalanche 
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Noun
As of October 30, 2024, the S&P 500 is up approximately 22.5% year-to-date, representing a bullish break from election year norms and rewarding 401(k) savers who stayed the course amid the avalanche of sensational election headlines.
—Brian Menickella, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Each tool hangs precariously on a nailhead, and one wrong move can lead to a dangerous avalanche of rakes and shovels.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024
Verb
The distinctive light green of aspen leaves in summer, set off from the deep greens of conifers such as lodgepole pines, frequently marks the zones where winter snow is unstable and tends to avalanche.
—Michael C Grant, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
James and the Lakers were getting avalanched, but a run to undo a 17-point deficit got them to within a point before the Memphis Grizzlies smothered them with a barrage of baskets.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for avalanche
Dictionary Entries Near avalanche
Cite this Entry
“Avalanche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avalanche. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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