gale

noun

ˈgāl 

1

a

: 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

Synonyms

• explosion
• burst
• gust
• outburst
• eruption
• flash
• blaze
• storm

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

Given the gale force NE'rly winds some minor soundside coastal flooding (up to 1-2 ft) may also occur starting with the Tue afternoon high tide cycle as well. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025

Now, another storm is bringing impacts to the Alaskan panhandle, requiring the NWS to issue a storm warning, a high wind warning, a gale warning, and a small craft advisory. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

Breezy conditions are forecast to continue this week with more gale warnings and advisories in place. —Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 20 Oct. 2025

Highball glasses from the MoMA Design Store appear to be defying gale-force winds in real time, careening permanently to the left. —Emily Johnson, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

of obscure origin

First Known Use

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gale

• fresh gale
• moderate gale
• near gale
• strong gale
• whole gale

Rhymes for gale

• ail
• ale
• bail
• baile
• dail
• fail
• flail
• frail
• gael
• gail
• grail
• hail

Kids Definition

gale

noun

ˈgā(ə)l 

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

ˈgāl 

Zona 1874–1938 American novelist