winter

[ win-ter ]

noun

1. the cold season between autumn and spring in northern latitudes (in the Northern Hemisphere from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox; in the Southern Hemisphere from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox).
2. the months of December, January, and February in the U.S., and of November, December, and January in Great Britain.
3. cold weather:

   a touch of winter in northern Florida.

4. the colder half of the year ( summer ).
5. a whole year as represented by this season:

   a man of sixty winters.

6. a period like winter, as the last or final period of life; a period of decline, decay, inertia, dreariness, or adversity.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of winter:

   a winter sunset.

2. (of fruit and vegetables) of a kind that may be kept for use during the winter.
3. planted in the autumn to be harvested in the spring or early summer:

   winter rye.

verb (used without object)

1. to spend or pass the winter:

   to winter in Italy.

2. to keep, feed, or manage during the winter, as plants or cattle:

   plants wintering indoors.

winter

/ ˈwɪntə /

noun

1. 1. sometimes capital the coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring, astronomically from the December solstice to the March equinox in the N hemisphere and at the opposite time of year in the S hemisphere
   2. ( as modifier )

      winter pasture

2. the period of cold weather associated with the winter
3. a time of decline, decay, etc
4. poetic.
   a year represented by this season brumalhibernalhiemal

   a man of 72 winters

verb

1. intr to spend the winter in a specified place
2. to keep or feed (farm animals, etc) during the winter or (of farm animals) to be kept or fed during the winter

Derived Forms

• ˈwinterish, adjective
• ˈwinterless, adjective
• ˈwinterer, noun

Other Words From

• winter·er noun
• winter·ish adjective
• winter·ish·ly adverb
• winter·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of winter¹

before 900; (noun) Middle English, Old English; cognate with German Winter, Old Norse vetr, Gothic wintrus; (v.) Middle English, derivative of the noun; akin to wet, water

Word History and Origins

Origin of winter¹

Old English; related to Old Saxon, Old High German wintar, Old Norse vetr, Gothic wintrus

Example Sentences

Delhi and northern states annually face smog during the winter due to a confluence of dropping temperatures, smoke, dust, low wind speeds, vehicle emissions and crop stubble burning.

From BBC

"Getting back to skiing without pain has been an incredible journey," said Vonn who may look to target a place on the US team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

From BBC

Vonn won Olympic downhill gold at the Winter Games in Vancouver in 2010, where she also took bronze in the Super-G.

From BBC

When does winter 2024 start and when is the solstice?

From BBC

The cold spell looks set to last for about a week for many, before milder Atlantic air returns in time for the start of winter.

From BBC

Related Words

• cold