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

The water can remain liquid and freeze on contact with the surfaces of an airplane — much like freezing rain falls as liquid and freezes on cars and roads on contact. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026

In cases where the cold air meets moisture, those storms could produce, sleet, freezing rain or in some cases wet and heavy snow. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

The Farmers' Almanac predicts a wetter-than-normal winter for Florida in 2026-27, with potential for sleet or freezing rain. — Samantha Neely, Florida Times-Union, 10 Aug. 2026

However, southern areas still face temperature limitations, often seeing freezing rain. — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for freezing rain

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

Kids Definition

freezing rain

noun

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