whiteout

noun

white·​out ˈ(h)wīt-ˌau̇t How to pronounce whiteout (audio)
: a surface weather condition in a snow-covered area (such as a polar region) in which no object casts a shadow, the horizon cannot be seen, and only dark objects are discernible
also : a blizzard that severely reduces visibility

Examples of whiteout in a Sentence

We got caught in a whiteout.
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.
Buried alive and seconds of air left — last week, in near-whiteout conditions, an advanced ski run at Palisades Tahoe in Northern California turned into a life-saving mission. Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026 Road closures, whiteout conditions, and traffic had disrupted our Ski and Skate Week, when school closes so families can travel and enjoy snowsports. Leslie Hsu Oh, Outside, 26 Feb. 2026 Amid near-whiteout conditions, rescuers made it to the scene that evening to find six survivors who had been able to locate three of their deceased companions. Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026 From New York's iconic Times Square to Boston Common, the oldest public park in the United States, live webcams are capturing heavy snow, whipping winds and near-whiteout conditions as a powerful blizzard barrels through the region. Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiteout

Word History

Etymology

white entry 1 + -out (in blackout)

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whiteout was in 1946

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whiteout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whiteout. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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