freezing rain

noun

: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface (such as the ground)

But to Healy's surprise, a glaze of freezing rain began to appear on the windshield.

—Jon Vara

This also explains why the stuff we call freezing rain … falls as a liquid but then turns to a sheet of ice when it strikes the pavement or a tree branch.

—Frederick K. Lutgens et al.

compare hail entry 1, sleet entry 1, snow entry 1

Examples of freezing rain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The weather could hinder holiday travel and cheer, as freezing rain rather than snow could make for slippery roads. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

But a dusting of snow is forecast for the morning of Christmas Eve, along with freezing rain, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Weather Advisory for part of Tuesday. —Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024

Up to 7 inches of snow were possible in Wisconsin and Minnesota, but North Dakota was getting the worst of it with high winds, snow and freezing rain. —Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2024

For the counties under the advisory, people will likely see snow initially before transitioning to freezing rain overnight. —Nbc New York, NBC News, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

freezing rain

noun

: rain that freezes upon contact with a surface (as the ground)