: rain that freezes or partly freezes as it falls from the sky
Concerned that ice pellets—also known as sleet—were a larger hazard than previously thought, the Federal Aviation Administration in late 2005 adopted strict limits on planes taking off in such icy conditions.—
Susan Carey and Andy Pasztor
Susan Carey and Andy PasztorThe wind blew bitterly cold, and the boughs of the old tree crackled under falling sleet.—Harriet Jacobs
compare freezing rain, hail entry 1, snow entry 1
Harriet JacobsExamples of sleet in a Sentence
Noun
The snow turned to sleet and made driving very dangerous.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
After the rain-sleet mix, these elite, professional drivers crashed and brought out yellow flags 10 times.
—Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Compounding the effects of the freeze were multiple waves of snowfall, freezing rain and sleet that accompanied the arrival of the frigid air mass in Texas.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 13 Feb. 2026
This sounds like a boring event but the boys turn the act of breaking up ice or sleet sheets from the sidewalk into a hockey-like competition.
—Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleet
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Noun
Whether shoveling your driveway, building a snow man with the kids, or just generally mucking around in the cold, sleet and snow, Muck Boots will keep you comfortable and protected.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
After the rain-sleet mix, these elite, professional drivers crashed and brought out yellow flags 10 times.
—Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Compounding the effects of the freeze were multiple waves of snowfall, freezing rain and sleet that accompanied the arrival of the frigid air mass in Texas.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 13 Feb. 2026
This sounds like a boring event but the boys turn the act of breaking up ice or sleet sheets from the sidewalk into a hockey-like competition.
—Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleet
Cite this Entry
“Sleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleet. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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