freeze-up

noun

plural -s
1
: a freezing over of a body of water especially when marking the onset of winter
goes on duty in April, just before the swans arrive, and stays with them until they leave at freeze-upLyn Harrington
2
: a period during which the bodies of water in an area are frozen over
the freeze-up lasted six weeks last year
before the freeze-up sets inV. E. Fuchs
all their food for seven months had to be taken to camp before the winter freeze-upBill Wolf

Word History

Etymology

freeze up (verb phrase), from freeze entry 1 + up

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Dictionary Entries Near freeze-up

Cite this Entry

“Freeze-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freeze-up. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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