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
This 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

Examples of freezing rain in a Sentence

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.
Precipitation will begin Friday morning, with light rain for the Twin Cities, but freezing rain and snow possible to the west and north. Joseph Dames, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 New England will see a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain this weekend as two rounds of precipitation move northward. Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026 Areas of rain/snow will begin to transition to a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet overnight as temperatures cool. Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 1 Apr. 2026 The areas north of Highway 18 and Interstate 94 could see a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain between April 1 and April 2. Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for freezing rain

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of freezing rain was in 1672

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Cite this Entry

“Freezing rain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freezing%20rain. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

freezing rain

noun
: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface (as the ground)
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