snowbird

American  

[snoh-burd] / ˈsnoʊˌbɜrd /

noun

1. any of various birds that winter in a cold, snowy climate, especially the dark-eyed junco and the snow bunting.

2. Informal. a person who vacations in or moves to a warmer climate during cold weather.

   Since 9/11, the ease with which Canadian snowbirds cross the U.S. border has changed.

3. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a person addicted to cocaine or heroine.

   The cocaine addiction of pre-talkies film star Alma Rubens earned her the unfortunate nickname “Silent Snowbird.”

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snowbird British  

/ ˈsnəʊˌbɜːd /

noun

1. another name for the snow bunting

2. slang a person addicted to cocaine, or sometimes heroin

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Etymology

Origin of snowbird

First recorded in 1665–75; snow (in the sense “precipitation; snowflake”) + bird; 1910–15 snowbird for def. 3, with snow (in the sense “cocaine or heroin”)

Example Sentences

Some of those choosing to stay home are Canadian snowbirds, retirees who travel south to states like Florida to find warmth in the winter months.

From BBC

One of the hardest hit places is the Coachella Valley, where snowbirds flock every winter, funneling millions into the local economy.

From Los Angeles Times

With winter nights drawing in across North America, Canadian “snowbirds” – citizens who flee their freezing temperatures for sunnier climes every year – are planning their annual trips to Florida or the Caribbean.

From BBC

“The snowbirds have all gone home,” he said.

From Seattle Times

The couple planned to become snowbirds, spending most of the year around grandchildren in Everett, then back north to their cabin on an island in Prince William Sound, in summertime.

From Seattle Times