: the disappearance of ice from the surface of a body of water (such as a lake) as a result of thawing

Examples of ice-out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the North, bass are often suspended in deep water and chasing shad schools after ice-out. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 14 Mar. 2024 For ice-out trout, perch, and sunfish, try using half a garden worm. Will Ryan, Field & Stream, 5 July 2023 Both blue and channel cats in lakes gravitate to coves and bays, often gorging themselves on shad that die off in late winter just before ice-out. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 20 Feb. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ice-out was in 1914

Dictionary Entries Near ice-out

Cite this Entry

“Ice-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ice-out. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!