blizzard

American  

[bliz-erd] / ˈblɪz ərd /

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 British  

/ ˈblɪzəd /

noun

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

---

blizzard Scientific  

/ 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 Word Forms

• blizzardly adjective
• blizzardy adjective

Etymology

Origin of blizzard

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.

Example Sentences

It’s like trying to isolate a snowflake from a blizzard.

From Literature

But no-one had ever got close to it, for the Spirit always beat them back with howling blizzards and treacherous rockfalls.

From Literature

I started roasting fruit to make better smoothies — fruit that tasted like itself instead of diluted memory, lost in a blizzard of ice and almond milk.

From Salon

This developing heatwave follows recent blizzards and frigid conditions in the Midwest and Great Lakes, along with heavy thunderstorms and tornado threats towards the East Coast.

From BBC

Tornadoes, thunderstorms and blizzard conditions are forecast to pummel parts of the eastern US.

From BBC

Related Words

• gale
• precipitation
• squall