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
Recent Examples on the Web
Monica Mendal, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Mount Laguna and Palomar Mountain could get 4 to 6 inches of snow.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
Detailed Cincinnati forecast Thursday: Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all rain after 11 a.m.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024
During winter, snow bunnies can get there early and buy a half-day ski pass.
—Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2024
Four people were removed from the snow, three of whom did not survive, according to police.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Wednesday night: Rain and snow showers, mainly before 2 a.m. Low around 35 degrees.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Apr. 2024
There is a chance of rain and snow showers before 2 p.m., then a slight chance of rain showers.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 1 Apr. 2024
At least 8 inches of snow could cover northern Nebraska and central South Dakota to central Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
In the trailer, Rabe can be seen partying with Hudgens at the town’s local bar Hugo’s, asking Harris for guidance, and getting snowed into her car in North Dakota’s harsh winters.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
The opposite could occur in Nebraska, where Sunday rain could morph into an icy mix and eventually snow on Monday.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024
In the mountains, it’s expected to snow 1 to 2 inches in elevations between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, with 2 to 5 inches in elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet and 5 to 10 inches above 7,000 feet, according to the weather service.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024
Our inescapable conclusion is that the target of this pitch is being snowed by an acquaintance hoping to climb out of the friend zone for a bout of hanky-panky before moving on.
—Tom Zoellner, SPIN, 21 Feb. 2024
In addition to the heavy rain, it is forecast to snow 1-2 feet in the Sierras and 1-3 inches on Mount Shasta.
—Katherine Itoh, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2024
Snow depth determines the depth of the new and old snowing remaining on the ground at observation time.
—Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2024
By about 7 or 8 p.m. Thursday, it is expected to begin snowing again in metro Detroit and by Friday morning there could be another 2-3 inches, potentially more in the state’s Thumb.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2024
Noun
The hotel also features fitness class studios, a semi-Olympic pool, and a spa with saunas, steam rooms, and a snow shower.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Mount Laguna and Palomar Mountain could get 4 to 6 inches of snow.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
Detailed Cincinnati forecast Thursday: Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all rain after 11 a.m.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024
During winter, snow bunnies can get there early and buy a half-day ski pass.
—Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2024
Four people were removed from the snow, three of whom did not survive, according to police.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Wednesday night: Rain and snow showers, mainly before 2 a.m. Low around 35 degrees.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Apr. 2024
There is a chance of rain and snow showers before 2 p.m., then a slight chance of rain showers.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 1 Apr. 2024
At least 8 inches of snow could cover northern Nebraska and central South Dakota to central Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024
Verb
What is amazing about this case is how many people got snowed.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
In the trailer, Rabe can be seen partying with Hudgens at the town’s local bar Hugo’s, asking Harris for guidance, and getting snowed into her car in North Dakota’s harsh winters.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
The opposite could occur in Nebraska, where Sunday rain could morph into an icy mix and eventually snow on Monday.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024
In the mountains, it’s expected to snow 1 to 2 inches in elevations between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, with 2 to 5 inches in elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet and 5 to 10 inches above 7,000 feet, according to the weather service.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024
Our inescapable conclusion is that the target of this pitch is being snowed by an acquaintance hoping to climb out of the friend zone for a bout of hanky-panky before moving on.
—Tom Zoellner, SPIN, 21 Feb. 2024
In addition to the heavy rain, it is forecast to snow 1-2 feet in the Sierras and 1-3 inches on Mount Shasta.
—Katherine Itoh, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2024
Snow depth determines the depth of the new and old snowing remaining on the ground at observation time.
—Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2024
By about 7 or 8 p.m. Thursday, it is expected to begin snowing again in metro Detroit and by Friday morning there could be another 2-3 inches, potentially more in the state’s Thumb.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2024
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 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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