av·a·lanche
ˈa-və-ˌlanch 
1
: a large mass of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other material in swift motion down a mountainside or over a precipice
2
: a sudden great or overwhelming rush or accumulation of something
hit by an avalanche of paperwork
3
physics
: a cumulative process in which photons or accelerated charge carriers produce additional photons or charge carriers through collisions (as with gas molecules)
Examples of avalanche in a Sentence
Noun
He was buried by an avalanche.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
Always traveling with a partner also helps to mitigate, but not eliminate, avalanche risks.
—Josh Laskin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for avalanche 
Noun
The American teenager who died in an avalanche in Switzerland on Monday while on spring break has been identified as Illinois high school student Aleksas Beiga.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
Always traveling with a partner also helps to mitigate, but not eliminate, avalanche risks.
—Josh Laskin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for avalanche
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'avalanche.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near avalanche
Cite this Entry
“Avalanche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avalanche. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share