winter

1 of 3

noun

win·​ter ˈwin-tər 

1

: the season between autumn and spring comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of December, January, and February or as reckoned astronomically extending from the December solstice to the March equinox

2

: the colder half of the year

3

: year

happened many winters ago

4

: a period of inactivity or decay

winter

2 of 3

verb

wintered; wintering ˈwin-t(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to pass the winter

winters in the Caribbean

2

: to feed or find food during the winter

—used with on

transitive verb

: to keep, feed, or manage during the winter

winter

3 of 3

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or suitable for winter

a winter vacation

winter clothes

2

: sown in the autumn and harvested in the following spring or summer

winter wheat

winter rye

compare summer

Synonyms of winter

Noun

• lull
• break
• downtime
• layoff
• recess

Examples of winter in a Sentence

Noun

They spend winters in Florida.

We're in for a cold winter this year, I hear.

She traveled there two winters ago.

the last day of winter

Verb

The birds will winter in the southern part of the country.

My family winters in Florida.

The farm agreed to winter our horses for us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Even the winter sun seemed to recognize the gravity of the moment, breaking through the clouds to illuminate the private dining room for the entirety of that historic afternoon. —Pin Yen Tan 9 Min Ago, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026

The battery is reported to retain more than 90 percent of its driving range even at –40 degrees Celsius, avoiding the sharp winter degradation commonly associated with both LFP and nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026

Verb

And in the early 20th century, America's industrial elite, the Roosevelts, Wrigleys, and Astors wintered here, taking the waters, horseback riding, and sun bathing. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026

My guess is some eagles from other state’s are wintering at the dam. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Overall, most shows were recovering from their post-winter storm disruptions the prior week, with grosses up six percent from last week and attendance up 8 percent. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026

The result Saturday was a mid-winter party that felt different than any of their previous bashes. —Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wintar winter and perhaps to Lithuanian vanduo water, Old English wæter — more at water

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing winter

• dead of winter
• nuclear winter
• the depth of winter
• winter aconite
• winter crookneck
• winter flounder
• winter-kill
• winter melon
• winter quarters
• winter savory
• winter sport
• winter squash

Rhymes for winter

• minter
• printer
• sinter
• splinter
• sprinter
• midwinter
• reenter
• overwinter
• teleprinter

Kids Definition

winter

1 of 3 noun

win·​ter ˈwint-ər 

1

: the season between autumn and spring usually including in the northern half of the globe the months of December, January, and February

2

: year sense 2

happened many winters ago

3

: a time or season of idleness or decay

winter

2 of 3 verb

wintered; wintering ˈwint-ə-riŋ 

ˈwin-triŋ

1

: to pass or live through the winter

the cattle wintered on the range

2

: to keep, feed, or manage during the winter

winter livestock

winter

3 of 3 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or suitable for winter

winter clothes

2

: sown in autumn and harvested in the following spring or summer

winter wheat