winterkill

American  

[win-ter-kil] / ˈwɪn tərˌkɪl /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to kill by or die from exposure to the cold of winter, as wheat.

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noun

1. an act or instance of winterkilling.

2. death resulting from winterkilling.

winterkill British  

/ ˈwɪntəˌkɪl /

verb

1. to kill (crops or other plants) by exposure to frost, cold, etc, or (of plants) to die by this means

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Other Word Forms

• winterkilling adjective

Etymology

Origin of winterkill

First recorded in 1810–20; winter + kill ¹

Example Sentences

John Vore, game management bureau chief for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, tells the Helena Independent Record https://goo.gl/5ysBrN that in most parts of the state, winterkill was minimal.

From Washington Times • Aug. 20, 2017

But in the case of smaller, shallower lakes that are prone to winterkill, Weigel said, that’s not an option.

From Washington Times • Jul. 7, 2014

"Additional snow of 2.0 to 6.0 inches in the Midwest wheat region and potentially heavier snows next week should ensure the wheat is safe from winterkill," he said.

From Reuters • Dec. 13, 2013

Keeney said a cold snap this week may have caused some minor winterkill in areas of western Nebraska, and a blast of cold Arctic air is expected next week centered on the Midwest.

From Reuters • Jan. 15, 2013

Fish were removed in the belief that sustained intermittency in the winter of 1953-1954 would result in severe winterkill.

From Fish Populations, Following a Drought, in the Neosho and Marais des Cygnes Rivers of Kansas by Deacon, James Everett