often attributive
1
a
: precipitation in the form of small white ice crystals formed directly from the water vapor of the air at a temperature of less than 32°F (0°C)
b(1)
: a descent or shower of snow crystals
(2)
: a mass of fallen snow crystals
2
: something resembling snow: such as
a
: a dessert made of stiffly beaten whites of eggs, sugar, and fruit pulp
apple snow
b
: a usually white crystalline substance that condenses from a fluid phase as snow does
ammonia snow
c
slang
d
: small transient light or dark spots on a television screen
snowed; snowing; snows
: to fall in or as snow
1
: to cause to fall like or as snow
2
a
: to cover, shut in, or imprison with or as if with snow
b
: to deceive, persuade, or charm glibly
3
: to whiten like snow
Synonyms
Verb
Examples of snow in a Sentence
Noun
Snow fell softly on the town.
The mountains were blanketed with snow.
She took a walk in the snow.
We haven't had much snow this year.
She went out to shovel the snow.
Soon the warm spring sun will melt the winter snows.
the snows of the Rocky Mountains
A light snow was falling.
Verb
easily snowed by her glib talk
the years had snowed his hair to a silvery white, making it difficult at first to recognize her old high school crush
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Recent Examples on the Web
Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023
The traction devices are fitted over shoes and can be used to traverse moderate snow.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
Aluminum or plastic blades are usually best for snow shoveling.
—L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
Those contributions could include services like snow and trash removal, support for public schools, scholarships and more.
—Steph MacHado, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2023
On the ground below, 8-year-old Hana (Ryo Nishikawa) ambles around in the snow while her single father, Takumi (Hitoshi Omika), is off in another part of the forest with a buzzsaw and axe, chopping firewood.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2023
For everyone else, Monday offered a reminder that the greatest snow on earth will soon be making its way to you.
—Aaron Falk, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Sep. 2023
Typical home insurance policies cover damage from all manner of perils, including fire and smoke, wind and hail, plumbing issues, snow and ice, and vandalism and theft.
—Jacob Bogage, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Sep. 2023
When winter arrives at Yellowstone, snow blankets the mountainous landscape — and leaves the most popular attractions blissfully crowd-free.
—Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2023
Ligaya Mishan Esther Choi, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
Winter snows that at least temporarily reversed Mead’s decline bought the states a buffer after what appeared to be crunch time a year ago.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 15 Aug. 2023
Count me in, especially as the bird is now being served at Navy Yard: marinated to tenderness in buttermilk with lemon zest, rosemary and Sicilian oregano before the thighs are rolled in flour, cooked in hot oil and snowed with parmesan.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2023
The weather again became part of the experience, snowing the whole second half of our trek.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2023
Areas of the Northern Hemisphere that experience the four seasons will often see widely-varying temperatures this time of year, from record-breaking warmth one day to snow the next.
—Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2023
The heavy snow buried California mountain communities, snowing-in scared and hungry residents in the San Bernardino Mountains.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2023
This is Nick Quah’s area, and unfortunately, his flight from Idaho was snowed out.
—Ariel Shapiro, The Verge, 28 Feb. 2023
The autumn mists will turn soon to snow in the Yellowstone high country.
—National Geographic, 12 Jan. 2023
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Noun
Cher Says Her Secret to Staying Young Is Wearing Jeans and Keeping Her Hair Long
Cher is front and center in the image, standing on a pile of snow and surrounded by red and silver ornaments, all of which feature the star’s reflection.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023
The traction devices are fitted over shoes and can be used to traverse moderate snow.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
Aluminum or plastic blades are usually best for snow shoveling.
—L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
Those contributions could include services like snow and trash removal, support for public schools, scholarships and more.
—Steph MacHado, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2023
On the ground below, 8-year-old Hana (Ryo Nishikawa) ambles around in the snow while her single father, Takumi (Hitoshi Omika), is off in another part of the forest with a buzzsaw and axe, chopping firewood.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2023
For everyone else, Monday offered a reminder that the greatest snow on earth will soon be making its way to you.
—Aaron Falk, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Sep. 2023
Typical home insurance policies cover damage from all manner of perils, including fire and smoke, wind and hail, plumbing issues, snow and ice, and vandalism and theft.
—Jacob Bogage, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Sep. 2023
When winter arrives at Yellowstone, snow blankets the mountainous landscape — and leaves the most popular attractions blissfully crowd-free.
—Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2023
Verb
This was no freak weather event; it’s always snowed here.
—Ligaya Mishan Esther Choi, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
Winter snows that at least temporarily reversed Mead’s decline bought the states a buffer after what appeared to be crunch time a year ago.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 15 Aug. 2023
Count me in, especially as the bird is now being served at Navy Yard: marinated to tenderness in buttermilk with lemon zest, rosemary and Sicilian oregano before the thighs are rolled in flour, cooked in hot oil and snowed with parmesan.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2023
The weather again became part of the experience, snowing the whole second half of our trek.
—Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2023
Areas of the Northern Hemisphere that experience the four seasons will often see widely-varying temperatures this time of year, from record-breaking warmth one day to snow the next.
—Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2023
The heavy snow buried California mountain communities, snowing-in scared and hungry residents in the San Bernardino Mountains.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2023
This is Nick Quah’s area, and unfortunately, his flight from Idaho was snowed out.
—Ariel Shapiro, The Verge, 28 Feb. 2023
The autumn mists will turn soon to snow in the Yellowstone high country.
—National Geographic, 12 Jan. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'snow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English snāw; akin to Old High German snēo snow, Latin niv-, nix, Greek nipha (accusative)
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of snow was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing snow
Dictionary Entries Near snow
Cite this Entry
“Snow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snow. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
snow
1 of 2 noun1
a
: small white ice crystals formed directly from the water vapor of the air
b
: a fall of snow crystals : a mass of snow crystals that have fallen to earth
2
: something resembling snow: as
a
: a dessert made of stiffly beaten egg whites, sugar, and fruit
pineapple snow
b
slang
: cocaine
snow
2 of 2 verb1
: to fall or cause to fall in or as snow
it had been snowing all day
2
: to cover, shut in, or imprison with or as if with snow
we were snowed in for two days
the desk was snowed under by papers
3
: to deceive, persuade, or charm with insincere or flattering talk
couldn't snow her with his compliments
Medical Definition
Biographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on snow
Nglish: Translation of snow for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of snow for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about snow
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