: rain that freezes or partly freezes as it falls from the sky
Concerned that ice pellets—also known as sleet—were a larger hazard than previously thought, the Federal Aviation Administration in late 2005 adopted strict limits on planes taking off in such icy conditions.—
Susan Carey and Andy Pasztor
Susan Carey and Andy PasztorThe wind blew bitterly cold, and the boughs of the old tree crackled under falling sleet.—Harriet Jacobs
compare freezing rain, hail entry 1, snow entry 1
Harriet JacobsExamples of sleet in a Sentence
Noun
The snow turned to sleet and made driving very dangerous.
Recent Examples on the Web
Joe Marusak and, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2025
Less than an inch of snow and sleet is expected in the Charlotte metro area today and tomorrow, according to WBTV meteorologists.
—Laura Barrero, Axios, 19 Feb. 2025
Some sleet and ice can also be expected from the interior Deep South to portions of the Carolinas.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
Forecast risk of severe winter weather for Tuesday Risk
Moderate
High
A swath of freezing rain and sleet could also spread farther south across Oklahoma to Arkansas later Tuesday and into the night.
—Nazaneen Ghaffar, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleet
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Noun
Charlotte had an 80% chance of precipitation on Wednesday, with only rain forecast before 3 p.m, then a chance of rain, snow and sleet, the 9 a.m. forecast showed.
—Joe Marusak and, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2025
Less than an inch of snow and sleet is expected in the Charlotte metro area today and tomorrow, according to WBTV meteorologists.
—Laura Barrero, Axios, 19 Feb. 2025
Some sleet and ice can also be expected from the interior Deep South to portions of the Carolinas.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
Forecast risk of severe winter weather for Tuesday Risk
Moderate
High
A swath of freezing rain and sleet could also spread farther south across Oklahoma to Arkansas later Tuesday and into the night.
—Nazaneen Ghaffar, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleet
Articles Related to sleet
Cite this Entry
“Sleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleet. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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