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 Pacific Northwest in general was bracing for freezing rain and ice, but western Oregon was expecting the worst of it as the state's three largest cities − Portland, Salem and Eugene – were forecast to get up to half an inch of ice through early Wednesday before a reprieve later in the day. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024

Why are the trees and power lines safe? Usually freezing rain forecasts spell worry for utility companies shuffling power along aerial lines. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 12 June 2024

Icy roads and freezing rain are making for a treacherous commute Tuesday morning. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 11 June 2024

Authorities warned of possible landslides as rescuers rushed to find survivors in freezing rain. —Harold Maass, The Week Us, theweek, 3 Jan. 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)