snow

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
a
: precipitation in the form of small white ice crystals formed directly from the water vapor of the air at a temperature of less than 32°F (0°C)
b(1)
: a descent or shower of snow crystals
(2)
: a mass of fallen snow crystals
2
: something resembling snow: such as
a
: a dessert made of stiffly beaten whites of eggs, sugar, and fruit pulp
apple snow
b
: a usually white crystalline substance that condenses from a fluid phase as snow does
ammonia snow
c slang
(1)
(2)
: heroin
d
: small transient light or dark spots on a television screen
snowless adjective

snow

2 of 2

verb

snowed; snowing; snows

intransitive verb

: to fall in or as snow

transitive verb

1
: to cause to fall like or as snow
2
a
: to cover, shut in, or imprison with or as if with snow
b
: to deceive, persuade, or charm glibly
3
: to whiten like snow

Examples of snow in a Sentence

Noun Snow fell softly on the town. The mountains were blanketed with snow. She took a walk in the snow. We haven't had much snow this year. She went out to shovel the snow. Soon the warm spring sun will melt the winter snows. the snows of the Rocky Mountains A light snow was falling. Verb easily snowed by her glib talk the years had snowed his hair to a silvery white, making it difficult at first to recognize her old high school crush
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.
Noun
In the mountains, the system arriving Wednesday was expected to bring 2-4 inches of snow above 5,500 feet west of state Highway 395 and 1-4 inches of snow on the west side of Lake Tahoe, according to the weather service. Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024 In the Denver area, communities received anywhere from a few inches to more than a foot and a half of snow. Max Levy, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
That is, the snowdrifts are up to my waist, and it’s been snowing all weekend. Alexei Navalny, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024 Throughout our April voyage, heavenly cherry blossoms bloomed and snowed pale-pink petals upon us. Norma Meyer, Orange County Register, 15 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for snow 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English snāw; akin to Old High German snēo snow, Latin niv-, nix, Greek nipha (accusative)

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of snow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near snow

Cite this Entry

“Snow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snow. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

snow

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: small white ice crystals formed directly from the water vapor of the air
b
: a fall of snow crystals : a mass of snow crystals that have fallen to earth
2
: something resembling snow: as
a
: a dessert made of stiffly beaten egg whites, sugar, and fruit
pineapple snow
b
slang : cocaine

snow

2 of 2 verb
1
: to fall or cause to fall in or as snow
it had been snowing all day
2
: to cover, shut in, or imprison with or as if with snow
we were snowed in for two days
the desk was snowed under by papers
3
: to deceive, persuade, or charm with insincere or flattering talk
couldn't snow her with his compliments

Medical Definition

snow

noun
1
: any of various congealed or crystallized substances resembling snow in appearance
carbon dioxide snow
2
slang
a
b
: heroin

Biographical Definition

Snow

biographical name

C(harles) P(ercy) 1905–1980 Baron Snow English novelist and physicist

More from Merriam-Webster on snow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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