squall

1 of 4

verb (1)

squalled; squalling; squalls

intransitive verb

: to cry out raucously : scream

transitive verb

: to utter in a strident voice
squaller noun

squall

2 of 4

noun (1)

: a raucous cry

squall

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
: a sudden violent wind often with rain or snow
2
: a short-lived commotion

squall

4 of 4

verb (2)

squalled; squalling; squalls

intransitive verb

: to blow a squall

Examples of squall in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Multiple severe thunderstorm complexes had raged on through the night, transitioning to windy squall lines that were moving through both Texas and Alabama to start the day. Scott Dance, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 About the same time DeSantis was scheduled to speak, a dangerous squall line reached Tallahassee that was predicted to bring with it destructive winds that could down trees, damage homes and continue knocking out power. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2024 The weather comes as part of a powerful squall line sweeps across the Southeast, bringing damaging winds, coastal flooding and heavy rainfall all night. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 9 Jan. 2024 The larger storm system associated with the squall line caused tornadoes and nearly baseball-sized hail in Florida’s Panhandle early Tuesday and prompted Gov. Ron DeSantis to issue a state of emergency for 49 counties in North Florida. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2024 Idalia’s initial squalls were being felt in the Florida Keys and the southwestern coast of Florida on Tuesday afternoon, including at Clearwater Beach. Laura Bargfeld, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Aug. 2023 The Sonia Sotomayor mini scandal vanished as quickly as a summer squall. Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 19 July 2023 The threatening squall line that swept across the state on Tuesday and brought tornadoes to North Florida did not result in any twisters in South Florida, said the National Weather Service, but there’s a nasty arctic blast following it. South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2024 Rain and snow showers — even a briefly heavy snow squall — are possible as early as 9 a.m. to as late as 1 p.m. tomorrow (earliest west of town and latest east of town). A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2024
Verb
Black Francis still shrieked, Joey Santiago’s guitar still squalled, Lenchantin’s bass still offered a choppy plunk, and the bam-thwok of David Lovering’s drums still kept the chaos anchored. Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squall.' 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

Verb (1)

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skval useless chatter

Noun (2)

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish skval rushing water

First Known Use

Verb (1)

circa 1631, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

1709, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squall was circa 1631

Dictionary Entries Near squall

Cite this Entry

“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squall. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

squall

1 of 4 verb
: to cry out with a harsh sound : scream
squaller noun

squall

2 of 4 noun
: a harsh cry or scream

squall

3 of 4 noun
1
: a sudden violent wind often with rain or snow
2
: a short-lived commotion

squall

4 of 4 verb
: to blow as a squall

More from Merriam-Webster on squall

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