snowmelt

noun

snow·​melt ˈsnō-ˌmelt How to pronounce snowmelt (audio)
: runoff produced by melting snow

Examples of snowmelt 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.
Low snowpack and early snowmelt can affect vegetation, reduce surface and subsurface water storage and alter streamflow, all of which directly impact water management and planning across the West. Dan Peck, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026 During rain or snowmelt, trails become slick. Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026 Upper Basin States—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—contain headwater tributaries and receive much of their water resources through snowmelt and runoff that drain above Lee’s Ferry. Outside, 3 Mar. 2026 Hotter-than-normal spring temperatures created thirsty soils that soaked up most of the snowmelt. Pete McBride, Time, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for snowmelt

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snowmelt was circa 1927

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snowmelt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snowmelt. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

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!

More from Merriam-Webster