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
Noun
Which is why, after grabbing our order, my increasingly skeptical companions and I ended up brushing a half-foot of snow off a picnic table at a nearby park. Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 More:Mild Michigan winters could have consequences for crops, gardens, wildlife Klein said March is a transition month, when balmy days or blasts of snow are always possible. Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 11 Mar. 2024 In Fort Kent, in far northern Maine, a lack of snow canceled an annual dog sled race. Seth Borenstein, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024 Come winter, the town's population balloons with skiers, snowboarders, and other snow-loving sports enthusiasts — perhaps even Olympic medalists deep in training. Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024 New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible. Sunday: There is a slight chance of snow showers before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain showers. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2024 Light snow or a snow-rain mix is expected into early Saturday morning between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. with a chance of rain afterward, although there is little to no snow accumulation expected. Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 The state ended the month with a major winter blizzard that dumped up to 10 feet of snow across portions of the Sierra Nevada. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 However, the Mississippi River flow generally intensifies with rains and northern snow melt. David A. Brown, Field & Stream, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
In the mountains, it’s expected to snow 1 to 2 inches in elevations between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, with 2 to 5 inches in elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet and 5 to 10 inches above 7,000 feet, according to the weather service. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Our inescapable conclusion is that the target of this pitch is being snowed by an acquaintance hoping to climb out of the friend zone for a bout of hanky-panky before moving on. Tom Zoellner, SPIN, 21 Feb. 2024 In addition to the heavy rain, it is forecast to snow 1-2 feet in the Sierras and 1-3 inches on Mount Shasta. Katherine Itoh, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2024 Snow depth determines the depth of the new and old snowing remaining on the ground at observation time. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2024 By about 7 or 8 p.m. Thursday, it is expected to begin snowing again in metro Detroit and by Friday morning there could be another 2-3 inches, potentially more in the state’s Thumb. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2024 Especially this winter, where it’s felt like it’s snowed endlessly and a constant blanket of clouds has enveloped the Treasure Valley. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2024 DeSantis continued to snow the press with disinformation about his COVID response, citing Florida’s relatively high median age to explain away the state’s wretched performance against COVID. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2024 Confidence: High Tomorrow night and Friday: Thursday evening temperatures fall back below freezing, and snow could arrive late at night, possibly snowing into at least Friday afternoon if the storm comes together as some models suggest. Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'snow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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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