winter

1 of 3

noun

win·​ter ˈwin-tər 

1

: the season between autumn and spring comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of December, January, and February or as reckoned astronomically extending from the December solstice to the March equinox

2

: the colder half of the year

3

: year

happened many winters ago

4

: a period of inactivity or decay

winter

2 of 3

verb

wintered; wintering ˈwin-t(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to pass the winter

winters in the Caribbean

2

: to feed or find food during the winter

—used with on

transitive verb

: to keep, feed, or manage during the winter

winter

3 of 3

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or suitable for winter

a winter vacation

winter clothes

2

: sown in the autumn and harvested in the following spring or summer

winter wheat

winter rye

compare summer

Synonyms

Noun

• lull
• break
• downtime
• layoff
• recess

Examples of winter in a Sentence

Noun

They spend winters in Florida.

We're in for a cold winter this year, I hear.

She traveled there two winters ago.

the last day of winter

Verb

The birds will winter in the southern part of the country.

My family winters in Florida.

The farm agreed to winter our horses for us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bellinger, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs for Cody Poteet last winter, has been one of general manager Brian Cashman’s best acquisitions. —Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming Autumn in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park sees wildlife migrating to their winter grounds. —Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025

Verb

The evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage provides shelter to wintering birds. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025

Adjacent waters are wintering habitat for brant, scoters, American black duck and other waterfowl. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 July 2025

Adjective

Compare September predawn temperatures in the 40's and 50's to mid-winter subfreezing (or in some parts of the country) subzero readings! —Joe Rao, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2025

For dozens of districts, the Detroit Free Press has compiled dates for the first day of school, fall breaks (and any breaks around Thanksgiving), spring breaks (as well as mid-winter breaks, if a district offers one) and the last day of school. —Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wintar winter and perhaps to Lithuanian vanduo water, Old English wæter — more at water

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing winter

• dead of winter
• nuclear winter
• the depth of winter
• winter aconite
• winter crookneck
• winter flounder
• winter-kill
• winter melon
• winter quarters
• winter savory
• winter sport
• winter squash

Rhymes for winter

• minter
• printer
• sinter
• splinter
• sprinter
• midwinter
• reenter
• overwinter
• teleprinter

Kids Definition

winter

1 of 3 noun

win·​ter ˈwint-ər 

1

: the season between autumn and spring usually including in the northern half of the globe the months of December, January, and February

2

: year sense 2

happened many winters ago

3

: a time or season of idleness or decay

winter

2 of 3 verb

wintered; wintering ˈwint-ə-riŋ 

ˈwin-triŋ

1

: to pass or live through the winter

the cattle wintered on the range

2

: to keep, feed, or manage during the winter

winter livestock

winter

3 of 3 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or suitable for winter

winter clothes

2

: sown in autumn and harvested in the following spring or summer

winter wheat