blizzard

noun

bliz·​zard ˈbli-zərd How to pronounce blizzard (audio)
1
: a long severe snowstorm
2
: an intensely strong cold wind filled with fine snow
3
: an overwhelming rush or deluge
a blizzard of mail around the holidays
blizzardy adjective
or less commonly blizzardly

Did you know?

The earliest recorded appearance of the word blizzard meaning “a severe snowstorm” was in the April 23, 1870 issue of a newspaper published in Estherville, Iowa. Blizzard shows up again during the following years in several newspapers in Iowa and neighboring states, and by 1888, when a snowstorm paralyzed the Eastern seaboard, the word was well-known nationally. However, in other senses, the word blizzard existed earlier. Davy Crockett, for instance, used it twice in the 1830s, once to mean a rifle blast and once to mean for a blast of words. All of these uses seem related, but the ultimate origin of the word is still unclear.

Examples of blizzard in a Sentence

We were snowed in by a raging blizzard.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, a winter storm prompted weather warnings in the Pacific Northwest, including a blizzard warning in Montana. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 The concert occurred during a blizzard that trapped a few thousand fans and the band members inside the Coliseum overnight. 5. Troy Smith, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024 Meanwhile, snow and possible blizzard conditions are forecast for parts of the Northwest including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024 While the home can withstand heavy snow, it should be abandoned in case of extreme weather events like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and blizzards. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for blizzard 

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blizzard was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near blizzard

Cite this Entry

“Blizzard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blizzard. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

blizzard

noun
bliz·​zard ˈbliz-ərd How to pronounce blizzard (audio)
1
: a long heavy snowstorm
2
: a very strong cold wind filled with fine snow
3
: an overwhelming rush or deluge
a blizzard of mail
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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