freezing rain
noun
: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface (such as the ground)
But to Healy's surprise, a glaze of freezing rain began to appear on the windshield.—
Jon Vara
Jon VaraThis also explains why the stuff we call freezing rain … falls as a liquid but then turns to a sheet of ice when it strikes the pavement or a tree branch.—Frederick K. Lutgens et al.
compare hail entry 1, sleet entry 1, snow entry 1
Frederick K. Lutgens et al.Examples of freezing rain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
This bout of winter weather isn’t expected to cause the widespread power outages seen last weekend, which featured freezing rain.
—Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 31 Jan. 2026
The National Weather Service said freezing rain was possible Thursday night in parts of Mississippi, and light snow showers could hit Nashville overnight Friday.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Ironically, widespread snow will fall across some of the same areas that dealt with freezing rain and power outages last weekend.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for freezing rain
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Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
This bout of winter weather isn’t expected to cause the widespread power outages seen last weekend, which featured freezing rain.
—Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 31 Jan. 2026
The National Weather Service said freezing rain was possible Thursday night in parts of Mississippi, and light snow showers could hit Nashville overnight Friday.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Ironically, widespread snow will fall across some of the same areas that dealt with freezing rain and power outages last weekend.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for freezing rain
Cite this Entry
“Freezing rain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freezing%20rain. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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