frostbite

1 of 3

verb

frost·​bite ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbīt 

frostbit ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbit  ; frostbitten ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbi-tᵊn  ; frostbiting ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbī-tiŋ 

transitive verb

: to affect or injure by frost or frostbite

frostbite

2 of 3

noun

: the superficial or deep freezing of the tissues of some part of the body (such as the feet or hands)

also : the damage to tissues caused by freezing compare frostnip

frostbite

3 of 3

adjective

: done in cold weather

frostbite sailing

also : of or relating to cold-weather sailing

frostbite sailors

Examples of frostbite in a Sentence

Noun

He wore gloves to prevent frostbite.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Peter also sustained frostbite inside the railcar, packed in so tight there was only room to stand, not lie down. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026

Opossums have hairless tails, ears and paws susceptible to frostbite. — Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

The child had stage-4 frostbite in both feet, which were blue and purple when EMS arrived, the affidavit alleges. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026

Weakness, frostbite, and the early stages of hypothermia are obvious long before a reasonably fit person collapses. — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1574, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1798, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1941, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frostbite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

frostbite

1 of 2 verb

frost·​bite ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbīt 

frostbit -ˌbit  ; frostbitten -ˌbit-ᵊn  ; frostbiting -ˌbīt-iŋ 

: to injure by frost or frostbite

frostbite

2 of 2 noun

: the freezing of a surface or deeper layer of tissues of some part of the body (as the feet or hands)

Medical Definition

frostbite

1 of 2 transitive verb

frost·​bite ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbīt 

frostbit -ˌbit  ; frostbitten -ˌbit-ᵊn  ; frostbiting -ˌbīt-iŋ 

: to affect or injure by frost or frostbite

frostbite

2 of 2 noun

: the superficial or deep freezing of the tissues of some part of the body (as the feet or hands)

also : the damage to tissues caused by freezing