winter-kill

verb

win·​ter-kill ˈwin-tər-ˌkil How to pronounce winter-kill (audio)
winter-killed; winter-killing; winter-kills

transitive verb

: to kill (a plant or part of a plant) by exposure to winter conditions

intransitive verb

: to die as a result of exposure to winter conditions
winterkill noun

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of winter-kill was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near winter-kill

Cite this Entry

“Winter-kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/winter-kill. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

winter-kill

verb
win·​ter-kill
ˈwint-ər-ˌkil
: to cause the death of (as a plant) through the effects of winter and especially cold
also : to die as a result of the effects of winter conditions and especially cold
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