freezing rain
noun
: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface (such as the ground)
But to Healy's surprise, a glaze of freezing rain began to appear on the windshield.—
Jon Vara
Jon VaraThis also explains why the stuff we call freezing rain … falls as a liquid but then turns to a sheet of ice when it strikes the pavement or a tree branch.—Frederick K. Lutgens et al.
compare hail entry 1, sleet entry 1, snow entry 1
Frederick K. Lutgens et al.Examples of freezing rain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
West of the snowfall axis, upward of a tenth of an inch of freezing rain is also possible today over the central Dakotas and eastern Montana.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
What's the difference between sleet and freezing rain?
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Heavier amounts of freezing rain can damage trees and powerlines.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 10 Dec. 2025
Following freezing rain, snow is expected to continue overnight.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for freezing rain
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Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
What's the difference between sleet and freezing rain?
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Heavier amounts of freezing rain can damage trees and powerlines.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 10 Dec. 2025
Following freezing rain, snow is expected to continue overnight.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for freezing rain
Cite this Entry
“Freezing rain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freezing%20rain. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
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