gale

\ ˈgāl

How to pronounce gale (audio)

\

Definition of gale

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a strong current of air:

(1) : a wind from 32 to 63 miles per hour (about 51 to 102 kilometers per hour)

(2) : fresh gale — see Beaufort Scale Table

b archaic : breeze

2 : an emotional outburst gales of laughter

Gale

biographical name

\ ˈgāl

How to pronounce Gale (audio)

\

Definition of Gale (Entry 2 of 2)

Zona 1874–1938 American novelist

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about gale

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Examples of gale in a Sentence

Noun 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: Noun The biggest gale in the metro area was 78 mph at Denver International Airport. — Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, "About 12,000 Xcel Energy customers still don’t have power after wild wind storm," 7 June 2020 The tent was sturdy, Alaskan-made, with triple-stitched seams and supported by heavy aluminum poles strong enough to withstand being buried in snow or the force of a gale. — John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, "A Tale of Two Bears: Hunting Brown Bears in Alaska," 18 July 2016 Boaters also were warned of gale-force winds on Lake Michigan through Wednesday. — Janice Dean, Fox News, "Cristobal remnants reach Wisconsin, fuel severe weather threat from Great Lakes to Northeast," 10 June 2020 The weather service issued a gale warning through Wednesday evening on Lake Michigan because of the possibility of strong winds creating waves of 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3.1 meters). — Sarah Brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati weather: Thunderstorms will arrive between 2 and 5 p.m., tornadoes and hail possible," 10 June 2020 Boaters were being warned of gale-force winds on Lake Michigan on Tuesday and Wednesday. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, "Remnants of Cristobal to merge with another storm, wallop upper Midwest with rain, wind," 9 June 2020 Boaters were being warned of gale-force winds on nearby Lake Michigan on Tuesday and Wednesday. — NBC News, "Cristobal to merge with new storm system after lashing South," 9 June 2020 Saints quarterback Drew Brees issued an apology on Thursday for his gale of words that cut a path through the NFL, the sports landscape and the New Orleans community a day earlier. — Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, "Saints’ Brees apologizes, but still doesn’t understand the reason for kneeling," 4 June 2020 The Salem Fair began in 1988 and has overcome oppressive heat, gale force winds and torrential downpours, according to a city news release. — Washington Post, "Officials cancel Salem Fair because of COVID-19 outbreak," 12 May 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

16 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Gale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gale. Accessed 22 Aug. 2020.

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