gale

noun

1
a
: a strong current of air:
(1)
: a wind from 32 to 63 miles per hour (about 51 to 102 kilometers per hour)
b
archaic : breeze
2
: an emotional outburst
gales of laughter

Examples of gale in a Sentence

The boat was damaged in a strong gale. The winds approached gale force. The audience erupted in gales of laughter.
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.
Winds will reach gale force off Veracruz, Mexico this afternoon. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 Strong winds were also a concern in areas where residents are accustomed to heavy rain, but not necessarily cyclone-strength gales. Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025 Currently, portions of Northern California and southern Oregon are under gale warnings, high surf warnings and hazardous seas warnings, the NWS said. David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024 Nuclear power plants have increasingly been seen as a carbon pollution-free source of electricity that can fill in for solar and wind farms when the sun sets and gales weaken. Justine Calma, The Verge, 4 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for gale

Word History

Etymology

of obscure origin

First Known Use

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of gale was circa 1547

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Cite this Entry

“Gale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gale. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

gale

noun
1
: a strong current of air
especially : a wind of from 32 to 63 miles (about 51 to 101 kilometers) per hour
2
: an emotional outburst
gales of laughter

Biographical Definition

Gale

biographical name

Zona 1874–1938 American novelist

More from Merriam-Webster on gale

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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