frost

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: the process of freezing
b
: a covering of minute ice crystals on a cold surface
also : ice particles formed from a gas
c
: the temperature that causes freezing
2
a
: coldness of deportment or temperament : an indifferent, reserved, or unfriendly manner
b
: failure
the play was … a most dreadful frostArnold Bennett

frost

2 of 2

verb

frosted; frosting; frosts

transitive verb

1
a
: to cover with or as if with frost
especially : to put icing on (cake)
b
: to produce a fine-grained slightly roughened surface on (such as metal or glass)
2
: to injure or kill (plants) by frost
3
: to make angry or irritated
that really frosts me

Examples of frost in a Sentence

Noun The grass was covered with frost. Frost formed on the window. These plants should bloom until the first frost of the season. We had an early frost. Verb The cold had frosted the windows. I have to frost the birthday cake. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
French and African marigolds, particularly, produce an abundance of bright blooms in sunny spots until the first frost. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2023 Climate change wreaks more havoc on wine growers with spring frost And as fires get stronger, more preventive work is needed to protect vineyards. Sofia Andrade, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023 Now the administration is scrambling to get a small site functioning before the first frost hits. Blake Apgar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Aug. 2023 My rosemary plants especially had no chance against the spring frost. Paige Curtis, The Atlantic, 9 Aug. 2023 Most annuals are tropical or warm-weather plants that can't withstand the harshness of winter frost. Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 2 Aug. 2023 Night harvesting is most common during the summer but also can extend well into October, when farmers often pick fruits and vegetables for 24 hours a day before the winter frost kills their crops, said J.J. Dagorret, whose company makes farm equipment. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2023 Beasley says that Southern states will continue to see local okra pop up at the farmers' market until the year's first frost, which in certain parts of the region, won't be until late October. Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2023 Gladiola corms and dahlia tubers: Let the first frost cause dieback and then dig them. Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2023
Verb
The cupcakes feature frosting flower petals on top, which come in either yellow, blue, or pink, according to a photo on Fratelli’s Facebook page. Adam Sennott, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023 Cover and shake until the outside of your cocktail shaker becomes frosted. Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023 Indoor window covering options vary; try shades, insulated curtains, or tinting or frosting windows. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2023 When frosting the sides of the cake, the whip should stay put, not move even a hair. Olga Massov, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023 Not even the bacon could provide enough salt to dim the light of the maple frosting. Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2023 Beat frosting: Switch to whisk attachment if your mixer has one. Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2023 To add subtle citrus flavor to the frosting, use orange or lemon juice instead. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2023 The windows in the massage rooms are partly frosted over to hide a view of the parking lot. Teo Armus, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frost.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German frost — more at freeze

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1635, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of frost was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near frost

Cite this Entry

“Frost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frost. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

frost

1 of 2 noun
1
: the temperature that causes freezing
2
: a covering of tiny ice crystals on a cold surface

frost

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to cover with or as if with frost
especially : to put icing on (as cake)
b
: to give a surface that looks like frost to
2
: to injure or kill by frost : freeze

Biographical Definition

Frost

biographical name

Robert Lee 1874–1963 American poet
Frostian
ˈfrȯ-stē-ən How to pronounce Frost (audio)
ˈfrȯs-chən
adjective

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