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 frost—
Arnold Bennett
Arnold Bennett
frosted; frosting; frosts
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
: to become frosted
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the WebSouthern 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
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
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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
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
Phrases Containing frost
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.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
frost
1 of 2 noun1
: the temperature that causes freezing
2
: a covering of tiny ice crystals on a cold surface
frost
2 of 2 verb1
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
More from Merriam-Webster on frost
Nglish: Translation of frost for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of frost for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about frost
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