blizzard

[ bliz-erd ]

noun

1. Meteorology.
   1. a storm, technically an extratropical cyclone, with dry, driving snow, strong winds, and intense cold.
   2. a heavy and prolonged snowstorm covering a wide area.
2. an inordinately large amount all at one time:

   a blizzard of Christmas cards.

verb (used without object)

1. to snow as a blizzard:

   Looks as though it's going to blizzard tonight.

blizzard

/ ˈblɪzəd /

noun

1. a strong bitterly cold wind accompanied by a widespread heavy snowfall

blizzard

/ blĭz′ərd /

1. A violent snowstorm with winds blowing at a minimum speed of 56 km (35 mi) per hour and visibility of less 400 m (0.25 mi) for three hours.

Other Words From

• bliz·zard·y bliz·zard·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blizzard¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30 for earlier meaning “violent blow, shot”; compare British dialectal (Midlands) blizzer, blizzom “blaze, flash, anything that blinds momentarily”; probably expressive formations with components of blast, blaze ¹, bluster, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blizzard¹

C19: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

It can be dangerous to shelter in a trapped vehicleIt’s a mixed blessing when you get your vehicle stuck in the snow during a blizzard.

From Popular-Science

The problem with looking for galaxy-wide motion is that the Milky Way is a raging blizzard of stars, with astronomers looking outward from one of the snowflakes.

From Quanta Magazine

The “World’s Only Corn Palace” and its whimsical domes had showcased the town’s agricultural bounty and brought tourists to town since 1892, and seen Mitchell through fires, floods and the blizzards of 1949 and 1966.

From Washington Post

Plastic igloos look cute — but they won’t cut it during a blizzard, nor do they run cheapThe pandemic has made dining as we previously knew it impossible, and serving customers outside has been one somewhat promising lifeline.

From Eater

A beautiful bluebird day can quickly turn into a thunderstorm with catastrophic lightning, while blizzards and dust storms can sneak up on you like ninjas.

From Outside Online

He also expanded on the need to get the average American out from under the blizzard of paperwork that the tax season brings.

From The Daily Beast

Many of us have tired of the blizzard of histories marking the sesquicentennial of the first years of the American Civil War.

From The Daily Beast

Driving from the Denver airport to Wyoming, I encountered an almost-otherworldly whiteout of a blizzard.

From The Daily Beast

For years your bright light was darkened by a blizzard of lies, cheating and innuendo.

From The Daily Beast

Oh, so you fall for Eva in both Sin City and White Bird in a Blizzard.

From The Daily Beast

"Wal, jist wait till a good winter blizzard comes through here like they do," interrupted Landy.

From Project Gutenberg

“Blizzard” and “mugwump” were new but a short time ago: the latter is dying from disuse, the former has come to stay.

From Project Gutenberg

Snow began to fall now and a regular blizzard set in, the fine powdery snow being blown along the ground into our faces.

From Project Gutenberg

But the cold was too much for the goats and the second blizzard killed them all.

From Project Gutenberg

I've ridden night herd in a blizzard when the temperature was below zero.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gale
• precipitation
• squall