: a fall of snow
specifically : the amount of snow that falls in a single storm or in a given period

Examples of snowfall in a Sentence

The yearly snowfall here is over 30 feet! 30 feet of annual snowfall The area is expecting heavy snowfall this weekend.
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.
That is, heavy winter rains and snowfalls that encourage abundant spring growth, only to be dried to tinder by the now-successive heatwaves baking southern Europe and the American Southwest. John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026 The southern Rockies could see above-average mountain snowfall. Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 The sound design — marked by silences, ambient natural sounds such as snowfall and birdsong, the unhurried rhythm of speech, and an original score built on tranquil orchestral elements — amplifies the film’s contemplative tone. Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026 This year, a record snowfall canceled support events, while crews spent valuable time clearing snow from grandstands before race weekend. Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for snowfall

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snowfall was in 1821

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snowfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snowfall. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

snowfall

noun
1
: a fall of snow
2
: the amount of snow that falls in a single storm or in a certain period

More from Merriam-Webster on snowfall

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster