whiteout

noun

white·​out ˈ(h)wīt-ˌau̇t 

: a surface weather condition in a snow-covered area (such as a polar region) in which no object casts a shadow, the horizon cannot be seen, and only dark objects are discernible

also : a blizzard that severely reduces visibility

Examples of whiteout in a Sentence

We got caught in a whiteout.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the Midwest, dangerous whiteout conditions took over roads in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. —Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2025

In the Midwest, storms led to heavy snow and dangerous whiteout conditions in Kansas and Nebraska. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025

The storm impacts have been felt from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes and Atlantic Coast as whiteout conditions forced people off the roads in the High Plains and wildfires broke out amid bone-dry conditions in south Texas. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025

Part of Interstate 35 north of Des Moines also shut down Wednesday following a series of crashes amid whiteout conditions. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

white entry 1 + -out (in blackout)

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for whiteout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout