gale

noun

1
a
: a strong current of air:
(1)
: a wind from 32 to 63 miles per hour (about 51 to 102 kilometers per hour)
b
archaic : breeze
2
: an emotional outburst
gales of laughter

Examples of gale in a Sentence

The boat was damaged in a strong gale. The winds approached gale force. The audience erupted in gales of laughter.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From the Oregon border to San Diego, NWS issued a combination of gale warnings, hazardous seas, and beach hazards statements. Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 The tire marks from dump trucks hadn’t yet been blown away by the incessant gales of the high desert. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025 Liverpool can get quite frosty in late March and early April, what with gales blowing in off the Irish Sea, but the rule at Aintree on Grand National weekend, and with emphasis on Ladies Day, is: Skin is in. Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 The storm, named Eowyn, brought gales to Ireland throughout Friday morning and afternoon, according to the Irish Meteorological Service. Claire Moses, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gale

Word History

Etymology

of obscure origin

First Known Use

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of gale was circa 1547

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Cite this Entry

“Gale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gale. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

gale

noun
1
: a strong current of air
especially : a wind of from 32 to 63 miles (about 51 to 101 kilometers) per hour
2
: an emotional outburst
gales of laughter

Biographical Definition

Gale

biographical name

Zona 1874–1938 American novelist

More from Merriam-Webster on gale

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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