frostbite

1 of 3

verb

frost·​bite ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbīt 

frostbit ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbit  ; frostbitten ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbi-tᵊn  ; frostbiting ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbī-tiŋ 

transitive verb

: to affect or injure by frost or frostbite

frostbite

2 of 3

noun

: the superficial or deep freezing of the tissues of some part of the body (such as the feet or hands)

also : the damage to tissues caused by freezing compare frostnip

frostbite

3 of 3

adjective

: done in cold weather

frostbite sailing

also : of or relating to cold-weather sailing

frostbite sailors

Examples of frostbite in a Sentence

Noun

He wore gloves to prevent frostbite.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Along with the broken femur and back and pelvis fractures, Luhn had severe frostbite. —Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Also, prolonged use of ice on your face could lead to frostbite or cold urticaria (hives or swelling in response to cold). —Sherri Gordon, Health, 22 July 2025

This level of wind chill will result in frostbite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite and can succumb to hypothermia in a matter of minutes, states the weather service. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1574, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1798, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1941, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frostbite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

frostbite

1 of 2 verb

frost·​bite ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbīt 

frostbit -ˌbit  ; frostbitten -ˌbit-ᵊn  ; frostbiting -ˌbīt-iŋ 

: to injure by frost or frostbite

frostbite

2 of 2 noun

: the freezing of a surface or deeper layer of tissues of some part of the body (as the feet or hands)

Medical Definition

frostbite

1 of 2 transitive verb

frost·​bite ˈfrȯs(t)-ˌbīt 

frostbit -ˌbit  ; frostbitten -ˌbit-ᵊn  ; frostbiting -ˌbīt-iŋ 

: to affect or injure by frost or frostbite

frostbite

2 of 2 noun

: the superficial or deep freezing of the tissues of some part of the body (as the feet or hands)

also : the damage to tissues caused by freezing