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

This 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

Examples of freezing rain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down. —Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025

And in the Northeast, icy roads were a major concern after a snowstorm Friday night into Saturday and freezing rain fell on the area Monday. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 29 Dec. 2025

All of New York City was under a dense fog advisory Monday morning, with warmer air in place after freezing rain in the Tri-State Area overnight. —Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025

New England will see rain and freezing rain late Sunday into Monday, but the Ohio Valley and I-95 corridor will see mostly rain. —Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for freezing rain

• aeroplane
• appertain
• ascertain
• capitaine
• cassegrain
• cellophane
• chatelaine
• counterpane
• entertain
• gethsemane
• halothane
• hurricane

Kids Definition

freezing rain

noun

: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface (as the ground)