sleet

1 of 2

noun

ˈslēt 

: rain that freezes or partly freezes as it falls from the sky

Concerned that ice pellets—also known as sleet—were a larger hazard than previously thought, the Federal Aviation Administration in late 2005 adopted strict limits on planes taking off in such icy conditions.

—Susan Carey and Andy Pasztor

The wind blew bitterly cold, and the boughs of the old tree crackled under falling sleet.

—Harriet Jacobs

compare freezing rain, hail entry 1, snow entry 1

sleety

ˈslē-tē 

adjective

sleet

2 of 2

verb

sleeted; sleeting; sleets

intransitive verb

: to shower sleet

Examples of sleet in a Sentence

Noun

The snow turned to sleet and made driving very dangerous.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There’s a lot of wind, rain, sleet, hail, storm, dust. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2024

Thanks to Amazon Prime Day, there are a plethora of winter boots ideal for rain, snow, sleet and everything in between. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024

As temperatures finally warm — with highs hovering near freezing and slightly above it — forecasters warn to expect freezing rain and sleet starting Monday evening and into Tuesday morning. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 22 Jan. 2024

Rain, snow, sleet, sun, gravel, grass, cobblestone, cement—it’s been through the ringer. —Samantha Leal, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English slete; akin to Middle High German slōz hailstone

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sleet

1 of 2 noun

ˈslēt 

: rain that freezes or partly freezes as it falls from the sky

sleety

ˈslēt-ē 

adjective

sleet

2 of 2 verb

: to shower sleet